Felipe Penuelas-Rodriguez, 50, and Reyna Trejo, 30, both of Mesa, Arizona, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The pair were arrested on June 6 with approximately one kilogram of fentanyl as well as 2,100 blue pills that test positive for fentanyl, according to court documents.
“The drugs seized are enough to kill thousands of people," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The fentanyl pills stamped to look like prescription painkillers are another reminder that there are no safe drugs available on the street."
“This indictment is another example of our commitment to remove this poison - and those who sell it - from the streets of Toledo" said Toledo Police Chief George Kral. “This case highlights one of the many inherent dangers of street drugs - that users often are not be buying what they think they are. If this seizure had hit the streets, there would have, no doubt, been an increase in overdoses, and likely overdose deaths, in our community."
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Toledo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Weldon.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
