United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
A Rhode Island man has been sentenced in federal court for his involvement in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation. Erik Ventura, 36, received a 10-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. This comes after Ventura pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin in Boston. Ventura's co-defendant, Jasdrual Perez, who also pleaded guilty, is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, 2024. Both men were arrested in February 2022 and have remained in custody since.
The investigation into the drug trafficking organization (DTO), led by Jasdrual Perez and based in Providence, Rhode Island, began in September 2019. The DTO was involved in manufacturing fentanyl pills designed to mimic pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distributing them across multiple states including Massachusetts, New York, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Ventura played a significant role within the DTO as he managed one of the stash locations and transported cash and drugs between states. He distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts and was compensated by the DTO for his distribution activities. Ventura also sold fentanyl and cocaine independently; one customer suffered a non-fatal overdose at a stash house where Ventura resided.
In February 2022, authorities seized two industrial pill presses along with approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl and other materials used for manufacturing clandestine pills.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau from the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division; and Jonathan Wlodyka from the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation division in Boston. Several law enforcement agencies provided assistance during the investigation.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at disrupting major criminal organizations through collaborative efforts among different agencies.
Authorities emphasize that all details contained within charging documents are allegations until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt in court.
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