A Texas Man has Been Indicted in a Court in Louisiana on Federal Charges for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Fentanyl

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Texas man was indicted on federal charges in a Louisiana court for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, facing a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted.

On Friday, December 9, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Fermin Rodriguez-Ortega, age 24, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was charged on December 8, 2022, in a two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846, and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).

If convicted, Rodriguez-Ortega faces a mandatory minimum of ten years, up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any period of incarceration, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for both counts of the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Evans reaffirmed that the indictment is only an accusation and that the defendant's guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Homeland Security Investigations and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers is responsible for the prosecution.