Five Sentenced in Large-Scale Fentanyl and Heroin Conspiracy Linked to Darknet Sales

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced the sentencing of five individuals involved in a significant drug trafficking conspiracy. The conspiracy, which involved the distribution of fentanyl and heroin, utilized darknet sales and the United States Mail for distribution, ultimately reaching nearly 49 states and international locations. The investigation, a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), uncovered a sophisticated operation that continued even after key members were incarcerated.

The individuals sentenced are Kyon Watson, Tony K. Oliver, Rosa E. Duran, Dewayne A. Hutton, and Janny Calderon-Rodriguez. These defendants all pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. United States District Judge Julia K. Munley presided over the sentencings, which concluded with the final defendant being sentenced on January 7, 2025.

Kyon Watson received a sentence of 66 months imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release. Tony K. Oliver, also known as “LZ,” was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release, having been convicted of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin. Rosa E. Duran was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release. Dewayne A. Hutton received a sentence of 51 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. Janny Calderon-Rodriguez was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The investigation into this widespread drug trafficking operation began in October 2022, when undercover agents initiated purchases from a darknet vendor. These transactions, exchanged for cryptocurrency, were subsequently seized and found to contain fentanyl. The distribution method involved mailing the illicit substances from locations within Monroe County, Pennsylvania. A search warrant executed in February 2023 at the vendor’s residence yielded United States currency, electronic devices, drug ledgers, cryptocurrency storage devices, and controlled substances. The drug ledgers revealed a history dating back to the summer of 2021, indicating nearly 1,000 recorded transactions sent to numerous states and abroad.

Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement identified Tony K. Oliver as a primary source of supply for the narcotics. Although Oliver was arrested in January 2023 in New Jersey on unrelated charges, he reportedly continued to direct his drug trafficking organization by communicating with Duran, Calderon-Rodriguez, Hutton, and Watson via recorded prison calls. From behind bars, these individuals allegedly conspired to continue drug sales and deliveries. The prosecution highlighted specific instances of drug sales occurring after Oliver’s incarceration, including a sale of 52 grams of fentanyl for $5,500 on February 24, 2023, and another sale of 50 grams for $5,200 on March 28, 2023. The conspiracy culminated with Oliver’s arrest in September 2023, shortly after his release from his New Jersey case. He was apprehended in the Middle District of Pennsylvania in possession of 101 grams of fentanyl.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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