RENO, NEV. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Nevada), published as received.
RENO, Nev. – A Reno man pleaded guilty today to selling hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
According to court documents and admissions made in court, from June 12 to September 2, 2020, Octavio Mendoza Jr., 24, sold counterfeit oxycodone pills stamped with “M30” that contained fentanyl. On September 6, law enforcement arrested Mendoza after observing him using drugs in a vehicle in downtown Reno. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found approximately 374 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
Mendoza pleaded guilty to seven counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben scheduled sentencing for August 24, 2021.
The statutory maximum penalty for distribution of fentanyl is 20 years in prison, and the minimum penalty is five years in prison. The statutory maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl is 40 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Gaming Control Board, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.
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