Tempe Man Arrested for Selling Fatal Dose of Fentanyl

By: Ciara Perez | Investigative Journalist | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published August 30th, 2025

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TEMPE, AZ - Tempe police have arrested a man accused of supplying the fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose earlier this year—marking another grim chapter in Arizona’s battle against the deadly synthetic opioid.

On March 15, officers discovered 47-year-old Chris Joseph unresponsive inside a parked Toyota Corolla at Jackson’s Car Wash on East Rio Salado Parkway. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner later confirmed Joseph died from acute fentanyl poisoning.

MARICOPA COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT / iSkyNews.com

Detectives traced the source of the drugs to 32-year-old Freddie Avila, after uncovering text messages between the two men that revealed a planned drug deal at Tempe Marketplace the night before Joseph’s death.

On August 27, Tempe officers stopped Avila’s vehicle and brought him in for questioning. According to police, Avila admitted to supplying the drugs and acknowledged witnessing Joseph react poorly before leaving the scene. He reportedly described the incident as a “bad trip.”

Avila was arrested and booked into the Watkins facility on August 28. He faces two felony charges:

Sale of Narcotic Drugs (ARS 13-3408A7)
Sale of Lethal Fentanyl (ARS 13-3424A)

Both charges are classified as Felony Two offenses and have been bound over to Superior Court under case number PF2025134986001. Avila’s bond is set at $250,000, and his case is scheduled for early disposition at the SP Court EDCT4, located at 175 W Madison Street in Phoenix.

📌 Booking Number: G202616

📌 Arrest Date: August 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM

📌 Booking Date: August 28, 2025 at 7:08 AM

📌 Facility: Watkins Jail

32-year-old Freddie Avila / MARICOPA COUNTY

In a statement, the Tempe Police Department reaffirmed its commitment to holding drug suppliers accountable and protecting the community from the escalating dangers of fentanyl.

“This arrest reflects our ongoing efforts to pursue justice for overdose victims and prevent further loss of life,” said a department spokesperson.

As fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise across the Valley, law enforcement agencies are urging residents to report suspicious activity and seek help for substance use through local crisis and recovery services.

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