Boulder County, Colo. -In September of 2023, law enforcement responded to the tragic overdose death of Mr. Tyson Baker, whose body was found in his home in Boulder.

In the fall of 2023, the Boulder County Drug Task Force had already been investigating the defendant, Carlos Centeno-Izaguirre, for selling large quantities of fentanyl throughout Boulder County. The Task Force had coordinated several controlled purchases of fentanyl from the defendant, which ultimately resulted in law enforcement seizing thousands of fentanyl pills. Following the death of Mr. Baker, detectives thoroughly analyzed electronic and DNA evidence and determined the defendant sold Mr. Baker the illicit fentanyl pill that ultimately killed him. Based on that analysis and the ongoing investigation, the Task Force executed a judicially-approved search warrant on the defendant’s residence and seized additional fentanyl pills, heroin, and cocaine.

On August 18, 2025, the defendant was set for a jury trial. Rather than go to trial, the defendant pled guilty to all counts. He pled guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Resulting in Death (DF1), Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl (DF2), Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Schedule I or II – 14-225 Grams (DF2), four counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl (DF1), Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl (DF2), Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance – Heroin (DF3), Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance – Schedule I or II (DF3), and two counts of Special Offender (DF1).

The DF1s carry 8 to 32 mandatory Department of Corrections (DOC) (except Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Resulting in Death is probation eligible but still 8 to 32 years if DOC), the special offender DF1s carry 12 to 32 mandatory DOC, the DF2s carry 4 to 8 DOC, and the DF3s carry 1 to 3 DOC. In total, the Court can sentence the defendant to 12-to-190 years in the Department of Correction if the counts run concurrent or consecutive. The DA’s Office will argue for a very lengthy sentence to state prison.

Sentencing is set for December 12, 2025 at 10:00 am.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “In Boulder County, we pursue dealers who prey upon those struggling with addiction -- especially drug dealers, like this defendant, who cause a death in their attempt to reap a profit. This guilty plea to all charges is a direct result of the outstanding teamwork that went into the investigation and prosecution. It is the best possible outcome in a tragic case such as this one.”

“These drugs have no place in our community. I’m extremely proud of the good work our officers have done and continue to do working with our county partners to find and arrest the individuals responsible for bringing this poison into our great city,” Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said. “Narcotics investigations are some of the most complicated and dangerous crimes to investigate and our officers don’t hesitate to do what it takes to find and arrest drug dealers so that they can be held accountable for their actions.”

The Boulder County Drug Task Force diligently investigates the distribution of illegal drugs, and fentanyl is a priority due to its lethality. The impacts on our community involve a risk to our community's health and quality of life. We value our partnership with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, various law enforcement agencies, and our communities. As a team, we are aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who commit these crimes.

The District Attorney’s Office will have further comments after sentencing.