Source: United States Department of Justice News
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Luis Omar Rosa Cotto (32, Orlando), Alejandro Acevedo Luna (34, Apopka), and Juan Carlos Garcia (38, Apopka) to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
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Luis Omar Rosa Cotto |
Pleaded guilty on July 12, 2022 |
Responsible for over 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl |
Sentenced on November 7, 2022, to 10 years in federal prison |
|
Alejandro Acevedo Luna |
Pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022 |
Responsible for over 1 kilogram of fentanyl |
Sentenced on January 6, 2023, to 15 years in federal prison |
|
Juan Carlos Garcia |
Found guilty at trial on October 17 to 19, 2022 |
Responsible for over 1 kilogram of fentanyl |
Sentenced on January 6, 2023, to 10 years in federal prison |
According to court documents, Acevedo Luna and Garcia conspired to drive to a gas station in Apopka and sell more than a kilogram of fentanyl for $33,000. Garcia drove the vehicle and brought a loaded handgun with him, and Acevedo Luna brought the drugs and set up the deal. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information about the drug transaction and worked with the Apopka Police Department to conduct a traffic stop. After a search, the loaded handgun was recovered from the center console of the vehicle and the package of drugs was located in the backseat. Both men were arrested without incident.
On the same day, Rosa Cotto was determined to be the source of the fentanyl and a controlled purchase was set up by the DEA to buy an additional half kilogram of fentanyl. Rosa Cotto arrived at the buy location with the drugs, and he was arrested. A bag containing more than half a kilogram of fentanyl was found inside his vehicle. All of the drugs were tested by the DEA laboratory and determined to be p-Fluorofentanyl, which is an analogue of fentanyl and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Apopka Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Gardella and Courtney Richardson-Jones.