Man admits distributing fentanyl in the metro-east, gets heavy federal prison term

A federal judge in East St. Louis sentenced a California man to 19 years in prison t after he admitted to trafficking fentanyl to the metro-east.

Nefer Ojeda-Elenes, 33, pleaded guilty in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-fentanyl and one count of distribution of a controlled substance-fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is a ruthless killer—devastating families, shattering communities and leaving a trail of grief in its wake,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft in a release. “This defendant conspired to bring seven kilograms of fentanyl into the metro-east region, when as few as two milligrams is lethal to most adults.

“With this 19-year sentence, the system has delivered certain justice to a drug dealer who prioritized money over the value of human lives.”

According to court documents, Ojeda-Elenes, a Mexican national, worked within a conspiracy to deliver two kilograms of fentanyl in April 2020. In May 2020, he agreed to deliver five more kilograms, but law enforcement intercepted the drugs prior to their arrival in Illinois.

A co-conspirator, Mariano A. Perez, 39, also of California, is facing similar charges and is scheduled to appear in court on March 20.