DALLAS, Texas — A 27-year-old woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted in a case involving a fatal overdose and a second overdose that caused serious bodily injury inside the Dallas County Jail.
Daisy Zuniga was found guilty of Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance Causing Death and Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Her sentence also included the revocation of probation in two prior drug possession cases.
According to prosecutors, Zuniga was on probation for two controlled substance offenses when she was arrested on new drug possession charges. Investigators said that before officers could take her into custody, she concealed narcotics on her body and later brought them into the Dallas County Jail despite screening procedures and strip searches.
Prosecutors said other inmates reported that Zuniga appeared to be under the influence when she arrived at the jail and continued using drugs while in custody.
On July 13, 2025, Dallas County Sheriff's Office deputies responded after multiple inmates were found suffering from overdoses inside the jail. Authorities said four inmates, including Zuniga, overdosed. One inmate died, and another was hospitalized for several days.
During the investigation, an inmate testified that Zuniga offered drugs to other inmates in exchange for commissary items. The surviving victim testified she believed she had taken Xanax bars but later learned through hospital testing that she had suffered a fentanyl overdose.
Investigators said Zuniga eventually admitted during an interview that she had shared the drugs, though prosecutors argued she attempted to minimize her role and maintained that she only provided Xanax. Authorities said she denied intentionally distributing fentanyl.
During sentencing, Judge Chika Anyiam also reviewed recorded jail calls in which prosecutors said Zuniga laughed about the charges and discussed seeking drug treatment and mental health assistance in an effort to obtain probation.
The court ultimately rejected those arguments and sentenced Zuniga to a total of 18 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Jui Kothare. District Attorney Investigator Thomas Naulty assisted with the case. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation.
