Gang members sentenced for trafficking fentanyl in Raleigh area, threats to witnesses

Members of two gangs were sentenced to prison for trafficking deadly fentanyl in the Raleigh area and trying to intimidate witnesses, prosecutors announced this week.

▪ Marquis Peterson, 30, a Crip gang member from Winston-Salem, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison.

▪ Axel “Flash” Rodriguez, 23, a member of the Bloods, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and trafficking of fentanyl for using his Instagram account to sell fentanyl pills and intimidate a potential federal witness, according to a news release. He was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.

Fentanyl, a highly addictive, synthetic opioid, can be deadly in high doses or when combined with other drugs.

There were 167 fentanyl-related deaths in North Carolina in June, the latest statistics available, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The investigations of the two men were part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force operation that “identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers,” according to the releases announcing their sentences.

“Drug traffickers have ... learned they don’t need to stand on street corners when they can reach kids on their smart phones,” U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said in the release on Rodriguez. “Counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet and Xanax sold on social media are driving addiction and overdose death.”

Jailhouse drug sales

Law enforcement made several controlled purchases of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Peterson after he was identified as a source of the drugs with Twalondus Simmons. Simmons pleaded guilty in March and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

While in custody awaiting trial, Peterson organized the sale and transport of drugs into the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia, according to the news release.

He also tried to get his girlfriend to lie to the grand jury, the release stated, When she told him that she had told the truth, he called her a “rat” and told her “you dead,” it stated.

Peterson was accountable for over 9 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 428 grams of fentanyl, the release stated.

Instagram drug sales

The FBI and Raleigh police began investigating Rodriguez in March 2023 after he posted photos of gang members with guns on Instagram and advertised he could sell fentanyl “K packs,” which is slang for 1,000 pills, according to the release.

Between March and May of 2023, investigators bought blue pills from him marked “M-30” that tested positive for fentanyl, the release stated.

In April 2023, Rodriguez was observed buying roughly 8,000 pills from a dealer. That same day, a confidential informant reported seeing four guns in his car during a transaction. Prosecutors said he also had four guns in a townhome where he was storing the drugs and four guns in a hotel room where he was selling them, the release stated.

All told, Rodriguez is being held accountable for over 700 grams of fentanyl and 3.6 grams of heroin, prosecutors said.

While in custody, Rodriguez also had someone post a photo of an individual he believed might testify against him, along with photos of sealed court documents and an image of a rat, according to the release. Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II enhanced his sentence for attempted obstruction of justice tied to the post, the release stated.

“The sentencing of this dangerous individual is an example of our strong working relationship with our federal partners, especially the FBI,” Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said in the release. “Using social media to harm our community with fentanyl and heroin will be met with the collective investigative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement.”

For information on overdose prevention strategies and resources, visit NaloxoneSaves.org. For information on syringe service programs in your area or how to access naloxone and harm reduction services, visit the NC Safer Syringe Initiative website.

This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 12:49 PM.