David Clay Fowlkes, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
The final member of a drug trafficking organization in Northwest Arkansas has been sentenced to federal prison for fentanyl distribution. Judge Timothy L. Brooks oversaw the sentencing at the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
Court documents reveal that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched an investigation into a group distributing fentanyl pills in Fayetteville and Fort Smith from January to September 2024. Salvador Caracena-Zarates was identified as the methamphetamine distributor and leader, supplying fentanyl to Rafael Norwood, Christopher Howes, and Alonzo Releford. The pills were made to resemble M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.
The following sentences were handed down:
- Salvador Fautino Caracena-Zarates, Jr., also known as "Doe," aged 42 from Fort Smith, Arkansas, received 300 months imprisonment and a four-year supervised release for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
- Rafael Deaundra Norwood, Sr., aged 40 from Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment and a three-year supervised release for aiding and abetting fentanyl distribution.
- Christopher Ray Howes, aged 43 from Fayetteville, Arkansas, received 100 months imprisonment and a three-year supervised release for aiding and abetting fentanyl distribution.
- Alonzo Lee Releford, III, aged 23 from Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced to 100 months imprisonment and a three-year supervised release for distributing fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas announced these outcomes.
The DEA led the investigation with support from several agencies including the Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, Fort Smith Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, and Arkansas State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sydney Butler Stanley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America by the Department of Justice aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime through efforts like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
