People v. Krueger CA4/2

BACKGROUND

Defendant Curtis Krueger enlisted in the Marines when he was 17, transitioning to

an officer after obtaining his four-year degree. He was proficient in martial arts, holding

a black belt, and was extremely fit.

Defendant met his girlfriend, Ashlie Stapp, through his cousin Angeline, who

worked with Ashlie at Jamba Juice, while he was stationed at Twentynine Palms.

Angeline’s family had asked Ashlie to feed and walk their dog while they went on a trip

to Mexico, and defendant was staying at the house on the weekends.

Angeline tried to discourage defendant from getting involved with Ashlie because

Angeline was aware that Ashlie was abusing prescription drugs and was promiscuous.

Ashlie’s drug use stemmed from a hip injury she sustained at age 23, for which she was

prescribed Norco and Percocet as painkillers. She quickly became dependent on the

drugs, so when her prescription would run out, she would buy pills from outside people

who were selling the medication illegally. By 2016 or 2017, her addiction was costing

approximately $600 per day, an amount for which her paycheck from Jamba Juice was

inadequate. When she could not cover her purchases, she would…