13 Additional Defenders Charged in Fentanyl Distribution Network that Spanned from California to DC

WASHINGTON – Federal and local law enforcement announced the arrests of 11 more alleged members of a fentanyl drug distribution network responsible for bringing hundreds of thousands of fake Oxycodone (M30) pills from California to DC Today’s announcement was made by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, US Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the Washington Division, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.

“This investigation started when a young woman in Washington, DC—Diamond Lynch—took one pill and died almost immediately. DEA has worked to track down every single individual who played a part in Diamond’s death, and we found a vast network of traffickers who transported fentanyl from Mexico to LA to right here in DC,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Today, 25 defendants are charged and in custody as a result of the investigation into Diamond Lynch’s death, and law enforcement has seized over a million fentanyl pills, 15 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms as part of this investigation. “DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue every single aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain to bring justice for Diamond Lynch and for the hundreds of thousands of American lives lost to fentanyl.”

Defenders Trayveon James Johnson, Karon Olufemi Blalock, Ronte Ricardo Greene, Melvin Edward Allen, Jr., Darius Quincy Hodges, Lamin Sesay, Paul Alejandro Felix, Omar Arana, Edgar Balderas, Jr., Raul Pacheco Ramirez, and Giovani Alejandro Briones, were arrested in coordinated law enforcement operations conducted across three states and the District of Columbia. They are named in a fourth superseding indictment that includes 13 other previously charged defendants (complete list of arrested defendants below) and alleges a conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

“As the breadth and scope of this indictment and corresponding arrests show, our office is working tirelessly to hold those who peddle poison in our community criminally accountable,” said US Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “There will be no hiding from law enforcement for anyone selling fentanyl in the District. One of the southeast ways to find yourself the subject of a federal investigation is to be part of a trafficking network like these alleged defendants.”

According to the indictment, the defendants are members of a drug conspiracy that began in August of 2020 and operated in the District of Columbia, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Central District of California, the Southern District of California, the District of Maryland, the Middle District of Tennessee, and elsewhere. It further charges defendants Carias Torres, Briones, and Valdez with conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the illegal drug distribution. Defendant Columbian Thomas is charged with possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

“To protect the American public, it is the mission of the DEA to investigate and take down major drug traffickers like the ones indicted today, that are illegally distributing fake pills containing fentanyl to the citizens of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, of the DEA Washington Division. “As part of our initiatives Operation Overdrive and One Pill Can Kill, the DEA is making a difference by attacking the violent drug traffickers poisoning our communities.”

“This joint investigation is an example of how the US Postal Inspection Service utilizes our unique investigative capabilities in the fight against the trafficking of narcotics, specifically opioids such as fentanyl, that are killing Americans,” said Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge – Washington Division. “It further highlights our commitment to keep the US Mail and our postal employees safe. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will ensure that those who engage in such activity are brought to justice.”

“Fentanyl poisons our neighbors, steals our friends and family, and attracts violence that plagues our community,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith. “Every member of the Metropolitan Police Department is deeply committed to ridding our neighborhoods of this drug. This investigation and the resulting federal charges are just the latest example of how MPD will use every resource and partnership that we have to bring offenders to justice. “We are all working together to make DC a safer place for everyone.”

The conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison up to life. The sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation of this case had the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the DEA Washington Division and the US Postal Inspector, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego , and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the US Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon Eppel, and David T. Henek, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section. Valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant US Attorney Andy T. Wang.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.