An Ocean Beach drug dealer who caused the overdose death of Tyber Lustig (above) of Pacific Beach has been sentenced to 15 1/2 years in federal prison.
Lustig, 30, was found dead lying on the living room floor in his Pacific Beach home by his father, Jay Lustig, on Dec. 12, 2021, his father said in a video for the Tyber Lustig Foundation he and others created in response to his son’s death.
Tyber Lustig had taken a counterfeit Oxycodone sold to him by Alexander Michael Randise, 29, that also contained fentanyl. Jay Lustig said in the video his son did not know it contained fentanyl.
His father said in the video his son was found still holding a dog leash and was about to take his dog for a walk after just purchasing a sandwich when he was stricken.
U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino ordered Randise to pay $34,324.71 in restitution to Jay Lustig for funeral and burial costs, according to court records.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon recommended the 15 1/2 year term that Sammartino imposed while Randise’s lawyer asked for 12 years. Randise pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
“Fentanyl has taken so many lives. Our community lost another bright and extremely talented young man to this epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman.
“We stand together with our law enforcement partners in stating directly: If you choose to sell drugs and a death results, you will be held accountable for that death,” said Grossman in a press release.
Court records show that Randise communicated the drug sales with Lustig by cellphones. Law enforcement agencies raided Randise’s two residences in Ocean Beach and seized approximately 680 counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl on Jan. 5, 2022.
Agents also seized a loaded 9-millimeter ghost gun, $1,175 in cash, and 2.33 grams of cocaine, according to court records.
“Another young person is gone too soon and another family is shattered because of fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe, who added that “fentanyl dealers are a top priority for the DEA.”
“Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work tirelessly alongside its San Diego law enforcement partners to bring justice to those who distribute fentanyl in our community,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego.
“Sorry does not begin to express the self-reproach I feel for the hurt I have caused,” wrote Randise in a letter to the judge.
“After long hours of reflection during my incarceration, I have come to understand the gravity of my actions,” wrote Randise, adding that he will “learn a better way to live in the future.”
“This letter cannot even begin to explain or express the remorse and shame that I feel for the way I was living and the choices I was making during the height of my addiction and the time in which my crime was committed,” wrote Randise.
Randise’s attorney said this case was his first felony conviction, but he had several prior drug misdemeanor convictions. He will be given credit for a year spent in jail since his Feb. 11, 2022 arrest.
Tyber Lustig had plans to open up his own barber shop and was several months away from getting his license at the time of his death, his obituary said. He is survived by his parents, a brother and sister, other family members, and his dog, Deja Vu.
The Tyber Lustig Foundation is a nonprofit organization that will focus on “helping young adults cope with the painful obstacles of growing up” and stop drug abuse, according to his obituary.
