Texas Man Sentenced for Federal Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FERMIN RODRIGUEZ-ORTEGA, age 25, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today, to 51 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. RODRIGUEZ-ORTEGA previously pleaded guilty to a two-count indictment that charged him 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).

According to court documents, on September 27, 2022, RODRIGUEZ-ORTEGA traveled from Dallas, Texas to the Super 8 motel in Covington, Louisiana carrying approximately five kilograms of fentanyl. Based on information obtained from a confidential source, Homeland Security Investigations agents and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were waiting on RODRIGUEZ-ORTEGA when he arrived at the motel. Agents then searched his luggage and discovered five kilograms of fentanyl.

This case was investigated by United States Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.