Twelve individuals involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced for their roles in distributing controlled substances across Tennessee and other states. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The investigation, which began around 2022, involved agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. They uncovered large shipments of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills marked “M30,” methamphetamine, and marijuana being sent to Tennessee and approximately 16 other states from California. Matthew Cox was identified as the person responsible for shipping these packages to members of the conspiracy.
Court documents revealed that defendants used social media applications and phones to discuss drug prices, shipments, and quality. Quortez Duncan expressed his desire for stronger pills to increase customer dependency and profits. Cox attempted to send these pills but they were seized by agents. Another defendant, Khyre McClain, tried to launder money through a limited liability corporation.
Agents intercepted several packages destined for Nashville containing significant amounts of drugs. On July 25, 2022, a package with thousands of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills weighing over two kilograms and more than eight pounds of methamphetamine was seized at a UPS Store in Sebastopol, California. Two additional packages were intercepted on August 9, 2022.
Search warrants executed at residences in California and Tennessee led to the recovery of firearms, cash, expensive cars, marijuana, and large quantities of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills.
“Stopping the trafficking of deadly fentanyl is a major priority of the Department of Justice,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “These successful prosecutions demonstrate our continued commitment to hit fentanyl traffickers with the full force of the law.”
Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico from the FBI Nashville Field Office commented on the operation: “These defendants took part in a cross-country conspiracy that brought significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana to Tennessee.”
Each defendant faced charges related to conspiring to distribute controlled substances; three also faced charges for unlawfully possessing firearms after previous felony convictions.
Sentences were handed down as follows: Quortez Duncan received 15 years; Mathew Cox got 11 years and 8 months; Jonny Rodriguez-Gonzalez received 11 years and 2 months; Ricardo Molinero-Alcarez was sentenced to 10 years; Khyre McClain received 10 years; Davontay Holt got 10 years; Marcus Johnson received five years; Tristain Orr got five years; Ethan Kimes received two years; Marquitues Sawyers got one year and eight months; Jahari Armstrong was sentenced to three years probation; Jaydan Armstrong also received three years probation.
The case involved investigations by multiple agencies including DEA, HSI, U.S Postal Inspection Service among others with prosecution led by Assistant U.S Attorneys Ahmed Safeeullah & Rachel Stephens.