August 23, 2024 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that over the last few weeks, the Tuolumne Narcotics Team (TNT) conducted an investigation into 39-year-old Daniel Stephen Curtis and 43-year-old Gina Maria Chiodo for the sales of Fentanyl within Tuolumne County. Through their investigation, TNT Agents obtained a search warrant for a residence in Jamestown. On Wednesday morning, August 21, 2024, TNT Agents, along with the assistance of Tuolumne County Probation’s High-Risk Supervision Team and TCSO Investigation Division Detectives, served the search warrant.
During the service of the search warrant, Fentanyl, methamphetamine, drug packaging, digital scales, and drug paraphernalia were located. Additionally, evidence obtained through the investigation confirmed the residence was being maintained for the use and sales of Fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Following the service of the search warrant, Curtis and Chiodo were placed under arrest for sales of methamphetamine and Fentanyl, as well as maintaining a drug house, and destruction of evidence. 31-year-old Faustino Joseph Vera, a resident of Modesto, was also contacted at the residence. During the investigation, it was determined Vera was routinely supplying Chiodo and Curtis with Fentanyl. Vera was placed under arrest for transporting and selling Fentanyl. Most Importantly, TNT Agents confirmed through their investigation, that the residence was located within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, which qualifies as a sentencing enhancement under 11353.1(a)(2) of the Health and Safety Code.
Curtis, Chiodo, and Vera were transported to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC), where they were booked on several charges related to drug sales.
We want to thank the Tuolumne County High-Risk Supervision Team and all the TCSO team members who assisted throughout this investigation.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION RELATED TO DRUG SALES WITHIN TUOLUMNE COUNTY, WE URGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO OUR TNT AGENTS VIA OUR TIP LINE AT (209) 533-5884
Source & photos: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office