Alleged drug dealer arrested in rapper Mac Miller's overdose death

LOS ANGELES -- A Hollywood Hills man was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the death of rapper Mac Miller, who died of a drug overdose last September, officials announced.

Cameron James Pettit, 28, is accused of selling counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs laced with fentanyl to the hip-hop artist -- whose real name was Malcolm James McCormick -- two days before his death in Studio City on Sept. 7, 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Miller was 26 years old.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office determined he died of mixed drug toxicity involving fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol, and his death was ruled an accident.

Pettit has been charged with a federal count of distribution of a controlled substance, according to a Department of Justice news release. He's expected to make his first court appearance in downtown L.A. on Wednesday afternoon.

An affidavit detailed communications in which Pettit agreed to supply 30 milligram oxycodone pills, cocaine and Xanax to Miller, according to the release.

Authorities allege Pettit didn't provide genuine oxycodone to the rapper, but instead sold him counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Miller purchased the alleged fentanyl-laced pills on Sept. 5, 2018.

Two days later, he was found unresponsive inside his home in the 11600 block of Valleycrest Drive and pronounced dead shortly before noon.

Investigators believe Miller died after snorting counterfeit pills, and that they were furnished by Pettit, according to the affidavit. It went on to state that other pills supplied to Miller by another alleged dealer before he died did not contain fentanyl.

Hours after Miller's death was reported, Pettit messaged a friend, allegedly writing, "Most likely I will die in jail," according to the affidavit.

His arrest came five days after a criminal complaint was filed in the case.

“Fentanyl disguised as a genuine pharmaceutical is a killer – which is being proven every single day in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna. “We are aggressively targeting drug dealers responsible for trafficking illicit fentanyl, which has become the most deadly facet of the opioid epidemic."

Pettit could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the drug-trafficking charge, according to the Department of Justice.