1st arrest made related to new sale of lethal fentanyl law

A 34-year-old woman, Cruzita Leon, has been arrested in connection with a man's death from acute fentanyl intoxication, as reported by the Mesa Police Department. The arrest, which took place on Wednesday, involves multiple felony charges, including the sale of lethal fentanyl.

Leon is the first individual charged under a new law, A.R.S. § 13-3408, that came into effect in November 2024. This legislation criminalizes the sale of a drug containing fentanyl when it results in a person's death, categorizing it as a class-two felony. Coincidentally, this law was enacted just one month prior to the death of 49-year-old Ted Gordon.

After Gordon's untimely death, which occurred on November 27, investigators discovered text messages between him and Leon that detailed an arrangement for a fentanyl transaction. According to court documents, the two had agreed on a sale involving $330 for five grams of fentanyl powder.

Gordon was found unresponsive at the location where they had planned to meet for the drug deal. Following the investigation, Mesa Police detectives conducted undercover operations that led to several sales in which Leon sold fentanyl pills to authorities.

As a result of these activities, she now faces multiple felony charges related to her involvement in the case.