Edmond Quatrell Blue, a multi-convicted felon from Little Rock, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. This was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was issued by United States District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr.
Alongside the prison term, Blue will also serve five years of supervised release. Blue, aged 33, was indicted on April 5, 2023, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and entered a guilty plea on July 29, 2024. In the federal system, there is no parole.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led an investigation that began on June 10, 2022. DEA agents conducted surveillance near an apartment complex on Napa Valley Drive in Little Rock. During this operation, agents observed Blue interacting with individuals in a red Mazda and later leaving the scene with a McDonald's bag.
Blue returned later in a black Ford F-250 and was seen carrying a purple duffle bag into the vehicle before departing as a passenger. The Arkansas State Police stopped the truck for a traffic violation at an apartment complex near Kanis and Barrow Road.
Upon exiting the truck with the purple duffle bag, Blue fled on foot through the complex. A DEA Task Force Officer pursued him and retrieved the duffle bag from a construction dumpster where it had been discarded by Blue. Inside were two large bags containing solid white powder substances confirmed to be 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl by DEA testing. Officers apprehended Blue hiding in a vacant apartment.
Blue's criminal history includes several felony convictions related to drugs and firearms offenses.
The investigation involved cooperation between the DEA, ASP, and Little Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Crews prosecuted the case.