Two Rio Grande Valley men sentenced for roles in fentanyl trafficking operation

McALLEN, Texas – Two Rio Grande Valley men have been ordered to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

James Queen, 41, McAllen, and Angel Valdez, 36, Alton, pleaded guilty Sept. 4 and Oct. 28, 2025, respectively.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now imposed a 60-month term of imprisonment for Queen, and Valdez received 27 months. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Tipton noted the dangers of fentanyl and its use in the community.

The investigation began in May 2025 when law enforcement discovered  Valdez was selling fentanyl in the McAllen area. Over the next two months, authorities determined Queen supplied Valdez with fentanyl.

As part of an undercover operation, law enforcement purchased more than 50 grams of fentanyl directly from Valdez. During the investigation, authorities learned Valdez routinely met Queen at his residence to obtain the drugs.

On June 23, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Queen’s residence and seized an additional 15 baggies of fentanyl weighing more than 50 grams. They also discovered multiple firearms, a bulletproof vest, a large amount of currency and a money counter.

Queen later confessed that he distributed user-level amounts of fentanyl to approximately 30 repeat customers.  

Valdez and Queen have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.