VENTURA, Calif. — A Torrance man has been held to answer on a charge of murder for the 2023 fatal fentanyl overdose of a Thousand Oaks man, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Read the District Attorney's release: https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Los-Angeles-Man-Charged-with-Murder-for-Fentanyl-Death-in-Thousand-Oaks.pdf
Thomas James Syslo, of Torrance, was held to answer on October 28, 2026, following a preliminary hearing.
The court found sufficient evidence to hold Syslo to answer on all charges and aggravating factors, following testimony by the Medical Examiner, a Ventura County Sheriff's Office crime analyst, an eyewitness, and law enforcement officers.
A Death in Thousand Oaks
On August 4, 2023, Syslo allegedly sold lethal fentanyl to the victim, identified as Freddy Dijor.
Mr. Dijor used the fentanyl and died the same day.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner later determined Mr. Dijor would not have died but for the fentanyl.
Case No. 2026001959
Cards, Cash and Fentanyl
On September 8, 2023, Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) detectives served a search warrant at Syslo's residence.
During the search, investigators seized approximately 28 gross grams of fentanyl packaged for sale, a working digital scale, and more than $12,000 in U.S. currency.
Detectives also seized 383 professionally graded and authenticated Pokémon cards, currently valued at approximately $400,000.
Syslo was subsequently arrested for possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation conducted a financial investigation and determined Syslo is alleged to have engaged in money laundering activity over several years, buying and selling high-value collectible Pokémon cards to conceal proceeds derived from narcotics trafficking.
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On January 22, 2026, VC FOCUS detectives arrested Syslo near his residence in the City of Torrance.
Charges, Custody and What Comes Next
Defendant: Thomas James Syslo, of Torrance
Charge: PC 187(a) – Second degree murder
Charge: HS 11352(a) – Sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
Charge: HS 11351 – Possession for sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
Charge: PC 186.10(a) – Money laundering (2 counts)
Special allegations: CRC 4.421(a)(4), the defendant induced another to participate; CRC 4.421(a)(8), the manner of the crime indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism; CRC 4.421(b)(2), the defendant's prior convictions; PC 781, offenses in multiple jurisdictions.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit and VC FOCUS, is prosecuting the case.
VC FOCUS is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies, including the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney's Office, California Highway Patrol, and federal law enforcement partners. Its primary mission is to combat fentanyl related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting the supply chain of individuals and criminal organizations responsible for sales of these drugs into Ventura County.
Fentanyl is a highly addictive and often deadly synthetic drug. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and a lethal dose can be as little as two milligrams. Information about the dangers of fentanyl, resources for people struggling with addiction, and overdose rescue kits can be found at ThinkAgainVC.com.
Syslo is scheduled to be arraigned on the information on November 13, 2026, in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.
Held to answer means a court found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. The charges above are allegations.
Sources
Ventura County District Attorney, Release No. 26-159, October 30, 2026: https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Los-Angeles-Man-Charged-with-Murder-for-Fentanyl-Death-in-Thousand-Oaks.pdf