CL man ordered to stand trial for 2021 murder

Jeremiah David Carlton

A Canyon Lake man, who was 18 years old when he was arrested in 2018, has been ordered to stand trial for the murder of a 16-year-old girl who died from a suspected Fentanyl overdose in French Valley (Temecula).

A preliminary trial was held last week for Jeremiah David Carlton, now 20. Riverside County Superior Court Judge F. Paul Dickerson subsequently ordered the trial for Second Degree Murder and charges of transportation of controlled substances for sale, possession of controlled substances for sale and a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation.

The death of the 16-year-old girl, whose name has not been released, occurred Feb. 24, 2021. Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station responded to a residence in the 35000 Block of Sugar Maple Street in French Valley. Upon arrival, they located an adult male and female juvenile unresponsive due to a suspected Fentanyl overdose.

Medical personnel arrived on the scene and transported both individuals to a local area hospital where they received medical attention. The male was revived, however, the teenage girl was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

Sheriff investigators conducted an investigation of the incident and determined a possible homicide had occurred.

With the investigators’ information, Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. Information and evidence discovered during the subsequent investigation led investigators to first arrest Raymond Tyrrell, 18, of French Valley for murder. Two days later, Jeremiah was arrested.

Jeremiah is being held at Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta in lieu of $1 million bail. Raymond is being tried separately for the same murder and will begin his trial next month.