Thomas Syslo, a 33-year-old resident of Torrance, is facing a charge of second-degree murder in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in August 2023.
The victim, a 30-year-old Thousand Oaks man, was found dead in a hotel room from a lethal combination of fentanyl, gabapentin, and diphenhydramine.
The Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit spent over two years tracing the narcotics back to Syslo through digital evidence, including ride-share records from Uber.
During a 2023 search of Syslo's home, investigators seized over 28 grams of fentanyl along with a digital scale and $12,000 in cash.
They also discovered 383 authenticated Pokemon cards valued at $130,000, which they believe were purchased using proceeds from his illegal drug sales.
In addition to the murder charge, Syslo is accused of money laundering and the possession of controlled substances for sale.
Prosecutors allege he had been laundering narcotics money for several years prior to his arrest.
Syslo pleaded not guilty at his January 26 arraignment and is currently held at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on $1 million bail.
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Published: Jan 27, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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