Ronald Rendon-Luna, a 37-year-old Mexican national living in Painesville, Ohio, has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison for his involvement in a drug-trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Chief Judge Sara Lioi delivered the sentence after Rendon-Luna pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm possession charges. He will also serve three years of supervised release.
The FBI-Cleveland Division's Cartel, Gangs, Narcotics and Laundering Task Force led the investigation that resulted in the arrest of Rendon-Luna and three co-conspirators linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. The group used residences and storage units in Cleveland and Painesville as bases for storing illegal drugs.
From June 2022 to January 2023, Nefer Ojeda-Elenes led the operation with Rendon-Luna’s assistance. They coordinated drug distribution through Cameron Harris in Dayton, Ohio. Trino Alexander Briceno-Matheus from Miami Beach was involved in handling proceeds from these activities.
"This organization was responsible for distributing approximately 111 kilograms of fentanyl, and approximately 42 kilograms of cocaine during the course of the conspiracy," according to court documents.
U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko commented on the case: "These criminals used their Mexican Cartel connections to bring millions of doses of fentanyl—each one potentially fatal—into our communities."
Authorities executed federal search warrants at related locations where they found illegal drugs and confiscated weapons including an AK-47 and an AR-15 at Rendon-Luna's residence.
Co-conspirators received varying sentences earlier this year: Ojeda-Elenes got nearly 19 years; Harris received over 12 years; Briceno-Matheus was sentenced to two-and-a-half years with additional supervised release terms.
The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking. The initiative involves collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies under the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Ohio.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Bullard prosecuted this case on behalf of Northern District Ohio authorities.