District Attorney touts fentanyl prosecutions, retail‑theft initiative and crime‑lab plans

District Attorney Morgan Geier presented Placer County’s DA office budget and a review of accomplishments on April 29, highlighting a concentrated push on fentanyl prosecutions, organized retail‑theft enforcement, victim services expansion and preparations for local forensic capacity.

Nut graf: The DA’s office said it has taken a leadership role at the state level on prosecuting fentanyl‑related homicides, trained other counties’ prosecutors and investigators, expanded programs for victims (including sexual‑assault nurse exams and child forensic interviews) and is nearing operational capacity to begin in‑county forensic testing once equipment and space are available.

Key accomplishments and priorities - Fentanyl prosecutions and training: Geier said the office co‑led a statewide training effort with the sheriff’s investigators and that Placer was an early model for prosecuting fentanyl overdoses as murder when appropriate. The DA described several high‑profile convictions and said the office provides training for other counties. - Organized retail‑theft initiative: The DA said the office launched a county retail‑theft initiative prior to Prop 36 campaigning, including outreach and prosecution strategies; the program has been replicated in other counties. - Victim services and SART: The office reported 121 forensic (sexual‑assault) exams in the last fiscal year (95% done in Placer County) and 323 child forensic interviews at the multidisciplinary interview center, increases the DA framed as evidence of improved reporting and service access. - Crime lab and forensic services: Geier and administrative staff described progress toward opening a pilot…