Temecula – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), founding Chairman of the Congressional Fentanyl Caucus, was joined by Riverside County law enforcement officials, legislative leaders, and local families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning to announce the introduction of H.R. 6671 – Alexandra’s Law – legislation to significantly increase penalties for drug dealers of lethal fentanyl.
“The cascading flow of fentanyl through the porous southern border now kills more than 100,000 Americans every year and in every corner of our country,” said Rep. Issa. “Since current laws in California and elsewhere prevent us from cracking down on traffickers, we believe Alexandra’s Law is the federal solution we need to hold fentanyl dealers accountable and give law enforcement professionals the tools they need to turn the tide in a fight we must win.”
Alexandra’s Law will:
- Require convicted fentanyl dealers to sign a sworn statement acknowledging that fentanyl is fatal and that if they deal again and it results in a death, they could face murder charges.
- Make this statement admissible as evidence in both state and federal court.
Alexandra’s Law is cosponsored by Representatives Ken Calvert (CA-41), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), and Jay Obernolte (CA-23).
Speakers at the press conference included:
- Congressman Darrell Issa
- Matt Capelouto, Alexandra’s Father, Founder of DrugInducedHomicide
- Zak Schwank, Mayor, Temecula
- Mike Hestrin, District Attorney, Riverside County
- Don Sharp, Undersheriff, Riverside County
- Kelly Seyarto State Senator, District 32
- Brian Jones State Senator, District 40
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, State Senator, District 23
Alexandra’s Law is named for Alexandra Capelouto of Temecula, who died in 2019 at the age of 20 from fentanyl poisoning. Read Alexandra’s story here.
The bill text can be found here.
Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 48th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and eastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, Poway, Temecula, Murrieta, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015.
