Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
A California resident, Shanarion Lee, 32, from La Mesa, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his involvement in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy that sent shipments of the drug from California to Alabama. The sentencing took place on July 31, 2025. Following his release from custody, Lee will also serve five years of supervised release. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
Authorities began investigating the operation in March 2023 when the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified a suspected drug-trafficking network moving fentanyl into Alabama. Investigators found that Lee conspired with Hillary Lewis, 32, of Lemon Grove, California, and James Walker, 35, of Enterprise, Alabama. The group shipped controlled substances to several addresses within the Middle District of Alabama.
Federal agents intercepted multiple packages during 2023 and 2024 containing pills that appeared to be legitimate oxycodone but were later confirmed by laboratory analysis to be counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
Lee pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Hillary Lewis and James Walker have also pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges related to this case. Their sentencing hearings are expected in the coming months.
The investigation was led by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service with support from the Enterprise Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Paul Markovits is prosecuting the case.
"Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that Shanarion Lee, 32, of La Mesa, California, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl."
"In addition to his prison term, the court ordered Lee to serve five years of supervised release following his release from custody. There is no parole in the federal system."
"According to court records and Lee’s plea agreement, the investigation began in March 2023 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) began investigating a suspected drug-trafficking network transporting fentanyl from California to Alabama."
"Investigators determined that Lee conspired with others, including 32-year-old Hillary Lewis of Lemon Grove, California, and 35-year-old James Walker of Enterprise, Alabama, to ship illegal controlled substances to various addresses within the Middle District of Alabama."
"Throughout 2023 and 2024, federal agents intercepted multiple packages containing pills designed to look like legitimate oxycodone tablets. Laboratory analysis later confirmed that the pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl..."
"Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl on March 26, 2025."
"Earlier this year, both Lewis and Walker entered guilty pleas... Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for the coming months."
"This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service... Assistant United States Attorney Paul Markovits is prosecuting..."
