FBI Arrests Man Known as ‘Frog’ for Fatal Fentanyl Incident at Super Bowl Party
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A man known as “Frog” is in custody after being accused of selling fentanyl disguised as cocaine, which tragically resulted in the deaths of four individuals at a Super Bowl party. The individual in question, whose actual name is Timothy Austin Pannell, was apprehended on April 25 and is currently facing charges of felony distribution of fentanyl as per an FBI press release. The shocking incident took place on February 11, 2024, at a residence in South Lake Tahoe, where a group of five friends had gathered to enjoy a Super Bowl celebration, as detailed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.
The tragic turn of events unfolded as the friends reportedly consumed what they believed to be cocaine throughout the evening. However, by the morning after, the devastating outcome became apparent as four of the individuals had succumbed to the toxic effects of the substance. Following the revelation that the participants had ingested fentanyl instead of cocaine, Pannell allegedly attempted to alert them of the dangerous error. Investigations revealed that he had made numerous calls to warn them, even going as far as driving through their neighbourhood in a bid to intervene.
The dire situation came to light around 9 a.m. on February 12 when the South Lake Tahoe police received an alarming 911 call regarding multiple overdoses at the mentioned location. Upon arrival, the authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of Abraham Lemus, 32, Keely Pereira, 33, Clifford Joy, 30, and Adam Joy, 35, each having tragically succumbed to apparent overdoses. The victims’ locations within the premises varied; two were found near the couch, one in the kitchen, and another in an upstairs bedroom. Remarkably, a fifth individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was rushed to a nearby medical facility and managed to survive the harrowing ordeal.
The mother of Clifford and Adam, Daisy Joy Bankofier, expressed profound grief at the loss, stating firmly that her sons and their friends were essentially “poisoned and murdered”. Katrina Joy, who was present at the gathering but did not partake in the lethal substances, recounted waking up to the distressing scene the following morning. She valiantly attempted to administer CPR to her husband and the other affected individuals while urgently seeking medical assistance.
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, Pannell has been formally charged with fentanyl distribution, although authorities have refrained from pursuing homicide charges due to his purported belief that he was distributing cocaine. In a statement, prosecutors clarified that Pannell had made sincere efforts to forewarn the victims upon realising the grave mistake, thus leading to a nuanced legal stance. The tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the unforeseeable dangers lurking within the realm of drug misuse, as articulated by Katrina, who highlighted the devastating consequences of a single reckless decision made in pursuit of casual enjoyment.
As the case progresses, Pannell is scheduled to appear in court on May 12 to address the charges levelled against him. The community continues to grapple with the profound loss and the lingering impact of the ill-fated Super Bowl gathering, underscoring the paramount importance of vigilance and caution when engaging in recreational activities. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.