District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Charity Faith Wiley (DOB 09/21/85), of Reseda, has pled guilty to second-degree murder for the death of a Simi Valley man. Wiley sold a deadly synthetic drug mixture of fentanyl and xylazine to the victim who overdosed and died. She also pled guilty to five additional felonies related to her drug possession, sales activity, gun possession, and money laundering. Wiley also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that the manner in which the crimes were carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
“Today's guilty plea sends a clear message that fentanyl dealers will be held accountable for the lives they destroy,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This is the first murder conviction in Ventura County stemming from a fentanyl overdose, and it reflects our commitment to pursuing every appropriate legal avenue against those who knowingly distribute this deadly drug.”
On June 6, 2024, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) responded to a residence in unincorporated Simi Valley for an apparent overdose. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in the victim’s room. Toxicology showed a lethal amount of fentanyl and xylazine in his system. Through the investigation, VC FOCUS identified Charity Wiley as the source of the drugs. Wiley was arrested by VC FOCUS and officers with the Simi Valley Police Department on March 5, 2025, at her home in Los Angeles County.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger and Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, members of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.
"Fatal overdose investigations are complex and require careful coordination between law enforcement, forensic experts, and prosecutors,” Ms. Nafziger said. “Through the outstanding work of VC FOCUS, and the Simi Valley Police Department narcotics bureau we were able to trace the deadly drugs back to the defendant, build a strong case, and secure this historic guilty plea for second-degree murder. The guilty plea today brings a meaningful measure of justice to the family of the victim."
Wiley is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 14 of the Ventura County Superior Court. She remains in custody without bail and faces 15 years to life in state prison.
VC FOCUS is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies including the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, as well as federal law enforcement partners. The primary mission of this partnership is to combat fentanyl related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting the supply chain of individuals and criminal organizations responsible for the sales of these drugs into Ventura County. In addition, the task force works to identify new trends of abuse among the younger population and educate the community at large on the lethal danger of this epidemic.
Fentanyl is a highly addictive and often deadly synthetic drug. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is one of the most common drugs associated with overdose deaths in the United States.
In 2025, the Ventura County Medical Examiner reported 216 overdose deaths. Fentanyl or a mixture of fentanyl and other drugs were found in the system of 134 of the overdose victims. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will seek to aggressively prosecute those that sell, furnish, or distribute fentanyl.
The public is urged to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl, how to find resources for people struggling with addiction, and where to get overdose rescue kits. This information can be found at ThinkAgainVC.com.
Case: 2025004926
Defendant Information:
Charity Faith Wiley (DOB 09/21/85)
Reseda
Charges pled guilty to:
• PC 187(a) – Second degree murder
• (2 counts) HS 11351 – Possession for sale of a controlled substance - fentanyl
• HS 11370.1(a) – Possession of a controlled substance with firearm
• PC 186.10(a) – Money laundering
• PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime
Special allegations admitted:
• PC 781 – Offenses in multiple jurisdictions
• PC 790(a) – Jurisdiction
• CRC 4.421(a)(8) – The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism
Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: [email protected]
