Two Dallas residents have been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for their involvement in distributing more than $600,000 worth of fentanyl. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy E. Larson.
Christle Nadia Ruiz, 22, and Ricardo Antonio Flores, 29, both from Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. On June 26, 2025, they received sentences of 188 months each from United States District Judge Karen Gren Scholer.
Court documents indicate that Flores and Ruiz were living together and distributing fentanyl from a residence on Ezekiel Avenue in Dallas. In February and March of 2023, Flores delivered a total of 2,000 fentanyl pills for $2,000 per delivery. In April 2023, Ruiz received approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills intended for distribution. During a search warrant execution at their home on the same date, Ruiz attempted to dispose of several fentanyl pills by flushing them down the toilet.
Agents testified that Ruiz had previously received about 10,000 fentanyl pills three to four weeks before the search warrant execution and used a social media account labeled “Happy vibes . . . Thug Paradise” to advertise the sale of fentanyl. The street value of one pill is estimated at $10 in Dallas; thus, the value of the seized pills is around $600,000.
Acting United States Attorney Nancy Larson stated: “As we pointed out to the Court during the defendants’ sentencing hearings, tens of thousands of tragic overdose deaths occur each year due to fentanyl, and those who distribute it know exactly what they are doing.” She emphasized that without law enforcement efforts in this case, significant harm could have occurred within communities.
Eduardo A. Chavez from the Drug Enforcement Administration in Dallas commented: “This sentence sends a clear message that those who profit from poisoning our communities with fentanyl will be held accountable.” He highlighted that fentanyl has caused numerous overdose deaths nationwide and praised law enforcement's commitment to public safety.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration; Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department; Rockwall Police Department; Garland Police Department; Hunt County Sheriff’s Office; Flower Mound Police Department; and special assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety during the search warrant execution. Assistant United States Attorney George Leal prosecuted the case.
