Police in Las Vegas are on the hunt for a woman accused of fatally poisoning her victim using Fentanyl.
In the vibrant city of Las Vegas, a chilling case of drug-related crime has come to light, involving a wanted fugitive named Cori Lynn Perkins. Perkins is currently at large, facing a string of felony charges, including second-degree murder and multiple burglary and larceny offenses [1].
The alarming incident took place at the Rio Hotel & Casino in May 2024, where Perkins is accused of targeting an individual, Ricardo Ortiz, by administering a lethal dose of fentanyl. Following the overdose, Perkins reportedly left the scene, using Ortiz's debit card to go on a shopping spree worth over $2,000 at various stores, as captured on the casino's security cameras [1].
Ortiz's lifeless body was found in his mother's gold Nissan Sentra, with Perkins accused of stealing the vehicle after the incident. The charges against Perkins are described as "particularly egregious" by Deputy District Attorney James Puccinelli [1].
While recent information linking Las Vegas casinos to fentanyl overdose incidents is limited, the case involving Ortiz serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing danger of fentanyl distribution in the city, including areas with high public foot traffic such as casinos [1]. It is essential to note that the report does not explicitly mention the casino as the overdose site.
Law enforcement agencies like ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are actively engaged in combating fentanyl and opioid trafficking through investigations and arrests [1]. These efforts indirectly enhance public safety, including in casino environments, by targeting the supply and distribution networks of fentanyl.
However, specific safety protocols or overdose responses in Las Vegas casinos, particularly in relation to this case, were not detailed in the available information. It is common for casinos to have medical personnel on-site, collaborate with local law enforcement, and use surveillance and security protocols to detect and respond rapidly to emergencies, although this is not described in the current search data.
A similar incident occurred at the Venetian Las Vegas in March 2023, where Jeffrey Jacoby was robbed and left for dead by Cheylee Kessee. Kessee, Perkins' alleged accomplice, is serving a 50-year prison sentence for the same charges [1]. Kessee's pimp, Kashon Glass, is also serving a 50-year sentence for the same offenses.
Jennifer Jacoby, Jeffrey's wife, has filed a lawsuit against the Venetian Las Vegas, claiming they failed to protect her husband from a similar incident [1]. A warrant for Perkins' arrest was issued by a Clark County District Court judge on March 28, 2025, and a Clark County grand jury indictment states that Perkins emptied Ortiz's wallet after the overdose [1].
As the search for Perkins continues, it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and aware of the risks associated with fentanyl and the importance of law enforcement efforts in combating this dangerous drug.
- Ricardo Ortiz, a victim in a chilling drug-related crime, was allegedly targeted by Cori Lynn Perkins at the Rio Hotel & Casino in May 2024.
- After Perkins administered a lethal dose of fentanyl to Ortiz, she reportedly used Ortiz's debit card for a shopping spree worth over $2,000, as captured on the casino's security cameras.
- This incident highlights the ongoing danger of fentanyl distribution in Las Vegas, particularly in high-traffic areas like casinos.
- Law enforcement agencies like ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are actively working to combat fentanyl and opioid trafficking, which indirectly enhances public safety, including in casino environments.