Teen overdose leads to arrest

A 20-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos resident is to appear in East Fork Justice Court today on charges he provided heroin and opium to Carson Valley juveniles.

A 16-year-old Douglas High School student found unconscious remained hospitalized Tuesday at Renown Regional Medical Center.

His friends reportedly found him Saturday on the floor of a residence in the 1300 block of Petar Road in Gardnerville some 16 hours after he had apparently fallen asleep.

"Although it has yet to be identified through evidentiary testing, the opium the juveniles thought they were ingesting was most likely black tar heroin," said sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. Tom Mezzetta.

The youth was taken by CareFlight to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. His medical condition was not released.

The suspect, Randy Isaacs, was arrested Sunday at his home in the 1300 block of Kimmerling Road.

He is in Douglas County Jail on $110,000 bail, charged with possession of a controlled substance, sales of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale.

According to a court affidavit, Isaacs reportedly sold opium and heroin on two or more occasions during the month to juveniles.

When deputies arrived at his residence Sunday night, he allegedly admitted being in possession of opium. Officers found four colored balloons in his front pants pocket which the suspect reportedly admitted contained opium.

After searching the residence deputies reportedly found evidence associated with the sales and use of heroin and opium including a digital scale, a box with a razor blade, drug residue and small pieces of aluminum foil used for smoking opium and or heroin.

According to investigators, the victim and three other 16-to-17-year-old male friends smoked what they believed to be opium Friday evening.

Mezzetta said the sheriff's department has seen an increase in the use and possession of heroin.

"This tragic incident further highlights the dangers of ingesting controlled substances and should serve as a warning to other youth in the community contemplating the use of any illegal substances or abuse of any legal substances," he said.

"One can never be certain as to exactly what chemicals had been used in the manufacture of such illegal substances or how these substances may affect the body and mind," Mezzetta said.

The investigation is continuing and no determination has been made whether the juveniles will be charged in connection with the incident, according to officials.