Acton man pleads to causing drug-related death

An Acton man pleaded no contest Friday to involuntary manslaughter for the death of a Santa Clarita man from a drug overdose.

Tommy Loaiza, 38, is facing eight years in state prison in connection with his plea, in which he admitted a 1995 conviction for second-degree robbery, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Loaiza was charged earlier this year in connection with the death of Kahlil Banks, 42.

Banks was found dead from an overdose May 21 at his apartment in the 28000 block of Sarabande Lane, authorities said.

Loaiza supplied heroin to Banks, then left him for dead after the man overdosed, according to Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Illions.

Loaiza was arrested six days later after Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies saw him driving Banks’ Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, which had been missing.

Loaiza was charged May 29 with one count each of murder, involuntary manslaughter, grand theft of an automobile and sale of heroin.

The remaining counts are expected to be dismissed as a result of his plea when he is sentenced Dec. 18 in a San Fernando courtroom.

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