TAMPA, Fla. – A federal grand jury has indicted four individuals on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl, resulting in the death of a University of South Florida (USF) student.
The indictment, unsealed Thursday by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, charges Miguel Cintron, Marquise Trant, David Chudhabuddhi, and Darrius Gustafson with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death, and additional charges of distributing fentanyl over 40 grams.
The indictment alleges that on February 16, 2024, the four defendants distributed a lethal amount of fentanyl that resulted in the tragic death of the USF student.
Read: Draining Deadly Fentanyl Pipeline: Florida AG Ashley Moody Charges 39 In Massive Trafficking Ring
Despite this, they allegedly continued to distribute fentanyl to undercover deputies and detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Cintron faces additional charges of possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. All four defendants have been arrested, made their initial appearances in federal court, and have been ordered detained pending trial.
The charges in this case are serious, and each defendant faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison if convicted.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the University of South Florida Police Department, the FBI, and the ATF conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Craig Gestring and David W.A. Chee are prosecuting the case.
Additional information:
- The identity of the deceased USF student has not been released.
- The University of South Florida has issued a statement expressing its condolences to the student’s family and friends and reminding students of the dangers of fentanyl.
- This case highlights the ongoing fentanyl crisis in Florida and the nation. According to the CDC, fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.
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