Fourth Hays CISD student dead from fentanyl overdose; two arrests made in ongoing investigation

In the weeks since the first press conference hosted by Hays CISD, the Kyle Police Department and San Marcos-Hays County Emergency Medical Services Aug. 24 regarding the fentanyl-related deaths of three students, there have been two more incidents and another death linked to the drug.

A fourth HCISD student died in July at 15 years old, and an autopsy confirmed the death to be a fentanyl overdose, according to a press release from the district. Additionally, two students were recently administered Narcan, which treats narcotic overdoses; one on campus at Hays High School and one at a student’s home.

Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett and Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler were joined by Tyson Hodges, a Drug Enforcement Agency assistant special agent, for a press conference Sept. 8 at Kyle City Hall regarding recent developments in the matter.

Barnett announced that two arrests have been made thus far in the investigation: Anthony Jean Perez Rios, a 20-year-old from San Marcos; however, the second individual is a minor, and their information cannot be released.

Jean Perez Rios faces charges of manufacture/deliver/possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance to a minor and possession of a controlled substance.

“Let me be very clear ... these investigations continue and will not stop,” Barnett said.

Hodges said last year, the DEA seized more than 20 million fake fentanyl pills, and there were more than 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021, of which 70% were opioid and fentanyl related.

“People don’t know the difference between a real pill and a fake pill. If you take a fake pill, you’re gambling with your life.” Hodges said. “Remember, it only takes two milligrams, about the size of a few grains of table salt, to kill the average adult.”

The DEA will partner with the Texas National Guard, the Hays County Local Health Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout Hays County to create an overdose task force to track down and arrest criminals pedaling fake pills containing fentanyl, Hodges said.

Another goal will be to educate the public and youth about the dangers of fentanyl.

Cutler said that the sheriff’s office will be teaming up with the fire department and emergency medical services to create an overdose mapping and tracking system to help track fentanyl.

“That way, we can use this tracking system to help all investigators to put an end to this fentanyl crisis,” Cutler said.

He added that the Hays County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment of any fentanyl dealer.

Additionally, HCISD has released the first episode of their public service announcement series on the fentanyl crisis featuring Shannon and Darren McConville, the parents of Kevin McConville, one of the students who died of a fentanyl overdose.

Shannon said her son was taking Xanax and Percocet to help him sleep, which she found out through a friend after his passing.

"I found him in his bed, asleep—what appeared to be asleep. But he was gone, and I couldn't bring him back," Shannon said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hays County Sheriff's Department, the Kyle Police Department or Hays County Crime Stoppers.