Texas Woman Sentenced for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

PROVIDENCE – An Austin, Texas woman, who currently resides in Massachusetts, was sentenced on November 25, 2025 in federal court in Rhode Island for her role in distributing and conspiring to distribute more than 310 grams of fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Patrica Parker, 74, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years’ probation with a special condition of nine months home confinement. Parker pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of over 310 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to 150,000 lethal doses of the drug.

According to information presented to the court, Parker engaged in drug trafficking for an extended timeframe. Her drug trafficking activity was discovered during an investigation in May of 2022, during which she distributed counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl to an undercover Food and Drug Administration Special Agent.

Approximately ten months after the undercover operation, agents executed a search warrant at her residence where they learned that the defendant was in possession of over 18,000 pills, including Schedule II and IV controlled substances, all unapproved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl.  Records obtained by investigators reflect that Parker had distributed in excess of one thousand parcels suspected to be illegal drugs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The matter was investigated by Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and US Postal Inspection Service.