Mesa man accused of supplying drugs in fatal overdose at Prescott hotel

A Mesa man has been arrested and accused of selling fentanyl to a man who died of an overdose last year, authorities announced Wednesday.

Kyle Guanell, 33, is accused of selling drugs to a father who died while caring for his two children at a Prescott motel, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces charges including manslaughter, the sale of lethal fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

“Drug dealers will be held accountable for overdose deaths,” Rhodes said in the announcement. “They knowingly sell a deadly drug and should be held responsible.”

Authorities across Arizona have been cracking down on suspected drug dealers accused of being connected to fatal overdoses.

In November 2024, a new state law took effect making it a Class 2 felony to knowingly sell a drug containing fentanyl if that drug later causes someone’s death.

Maricopa County prosecutors said the first person charged under the new law was Cruzita Leon, 35. She is accused of selling a fatal dose of fentanyl to Todd Gordon.

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