A federal grand jury in Rhode Island has indicted Kelvin German Luperon De Jesus on a charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda announced on Apr. 1.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the trafficking and distribution of fentanyl, a substance linked to rising overdose deaths across the country.
According to court documents, Luperon De Jesus, age 32, allegedly tried to obtain a package sent from California to Rhode Island that contained approximately one kilogram of fentanyl. Authorities said the package was flagged as suspicious and tested by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents who determined its contents were fentanyl. Two days after the attempt, DEA agents arrested Luperon De Jesus as part of an undercover investigation.
Luperon De Jesus faces one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. An arraignment date in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the DEA.
Authorities remind that an indictment is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
