Final Member of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Keivin Crosswell-Cervantes, 27, of Mexico, was sentenced on April 29, 2024, by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 17 years in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. Crosswell-Cervantes pleaded guilty to the charge on May 2, 2023.

Crosswell-Cervantes’ two co-conspirators both also pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine and were sentenced by Judge Logan. On September 20, 2023, Carlos Alberto Castro-Ruiz, 26, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. On November 13, 2023, Alexander Ortega-Islas, 22, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The three co-conspirators all admitted that they delivered approximately 400,000 blue fentanyl pills, approximately 20,000 multi-colored fentanyl pills (“skittles”), and approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers on September 22, 2022. Law enforcement officers also seized an AK-47-style pistol, a .45 caliber Kimber 1911 semi-automatic pistol with two magazines, and a .45 caliber FN semi-automatic pistol.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Homeland Security Investigations, Nogales, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nogales, conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew G. Eltringham, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-22-01295-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-062_Crosswell-Cervantes

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