California Man Admits Fentanyl Distribution

NEWARK, N.J. – A California man today admitted possessing with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of fentanyl in Bergen County, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Timothy Alan Blank, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 8, 2024, law enforcement pulled Blank over while he was driving in Bergen County and discovered the fentanyl concealed in the vehicle.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl comes with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1 million. Sentencing for Blank is scheduled for March 11, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lee Police Department, and the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.  

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the Criminal Division in Newark.