Texas man charged with selling fentanyl resulting in death following HSI Laredo, federal partner investigation

LAREDO, Texas — A federal grand jury returned an indictment against a South Texas man for distributing fentanyl that caused a juvenile’s death following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Laredo Border Patrol, the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.

On Aug. 24, Jose Antonio Carlos III, 22, of Laredo, was arrested without incident. Carlos is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos on Aug. 25.

According to court documents, the two-count indictment, returned Aug. 22, alleges Carlos distributed fentanyl, a schedule II-controlled substance, to another individual May 16. That person was a juvenile who subsequently died after using the drug, according to the charges. Carlos is also charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

If convicted of the distribution resulting in death, Carlos faces up to life in federal prison with a mandatory minimum of 20 years. He could also be ordered to pay up to $1 million in fines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.