Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas man has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for his involvement in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Michael Anthony Rivas received the sentence from United States District Judge Anne R. Traum, who also ordered four years of supervised release following his prison term. The government had recommended a sentence of 110 months.
Court records show that between February and March 2023, Rivas participated with co-defendant Crystal Fawn Hoag in distributing and selling fentanyl in the Las Vegas area. The pair sold around 693 grams of fentanyl, which equates to approximately 8,500 pills.
When law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence shared by Hoag and Rivas, officers found three firearms: a black Smith & Wesson, a Black Xd Springfield Arms, and a black and tan Taurus. Police also recovered about 67 grams of counterfeit M30 pills suspected to contain fentanyl and roughly 113 grams of methamphetamine. Both defendants were prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.
Officials emphasized the dangers posed by fentanyl, describing it as a potent synthetic opioid far stronger than morphine. Even small amounts can be lethal for adults or children.
"Fentanyl presents a significant and growing danger to our community and our children. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine, and only a few milligrams of this chemical compound equivalent to a few grains of table salt are enough to cause a fatal overdose in adults or children," said Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Deputy Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis for DEA’s Los Angeles Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Nathaniel Holland for the FBI Las Vegas Division joined Chattah in announcing the outcome. Assistant United States Attorneys Brenna Bush and Steven Rose prosecuted the case.
