A Joshua Tree man has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2022 overdose death of a Yucca Valley man.
On November 2, 2022, County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the death of Steven Lockhart, a 33 year-old resident of Yucca Valley. Lockhart was found in the 56800 block of Navajo Trail in Yucca Valley.
The County Coroner’s office determined that the death was an overdose of fentanyl, and the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division’s Overdose Response Team took over the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Department identified Nicholas Koeller, a 26 year old resident of Joshua Tree, as the suspect who is alleged to have provided Lockhart with the fatal dose of fentanyl that left him dead.
After the investigation was completed and autopsy results were received, the case was presented to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and murder charges were filed. Deputies arrested Koeller yesterday (December 21) at 12:30 p.m.
Nicholas Koeller was arrested for investigation into murder, charges related to the sale and transportation of narcotics, as well as violating parole. He is being held at the West Valley Detention Center on $120,000 bail.
Joshua Tree man charged with murder over 2022 Yucca Valley fentanyl overdose death
