Rigoberto Calderon-Molina, 40, of Earlimart, California, pleaded guilty Monday to possession with the intent to distribute nearly 2.9 pounds Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid.
It was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Calderon-Molina was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2018. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey on November 16.
According to court documents, on April 25, 2018, Calderon-Molina met an individual in a North Las Vegas parking lot to sell 1.3 kilograms (nearly 2.9 pounds) of Fentanyl, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. Law enforcement arrested Calderon-Molina and seized approximately 13,000 Fentanyl pills.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 80-100 times more potent than morphine, and is commonly added to heroin to increase its potency.
Calderon-Molina faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
