DATE/TIME: Thursday, December 21, 2023, 12:30 p.m.
INCIDENT: Drug Overdose Murder
LOCATION: 56800 block of Navajo Trail, Yucca Valley
SUSPECT(S): Nicholas Koeller, a 26-year-old resident of Joshua Tree
VICTIM(S): Steven Lockhart, a 33-year-old resident of Yucca Valley
SUMMARY: In February 2021, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department created a pilot program in response to the growing epidemic of overdose deaths from opioids. In July 2022, a full-time Overdose Response Team (ORT) was created, and additional resources were dedicated to the team. The team consists of investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation.
Drug trafficking organizations are producing counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl and putting fentanyl in drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Due to this trend, there has been an unprecedented rise in drug overdose deaths in San Bernardino County and across the country, especially with our youth.
On November 2, 2022, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Morongo Basin Station responded to the death of Steven Lockhart. Once the death was determined to be an overdose, the Gangs/Narcotics Division's ORT responded to assume the investigation. Investigators identified Nicholas Koeller as the suspect.
After the investigation was completed and autopsy results were received, the case was presented to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office and murder charges were filed.
On December 21, 2023, Nicholas Koeller was arrested for murder and booked at the Morongo Basin Station Jail.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Gangs/Narcotics Division. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Overdose Response Team
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division
Phone No. (909) 387-8400
Case No. 652201233
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
