Drug Crimes Gulf Coast News Tampa drug crimes, tampa Matt McCarthy June 21, 2024 0 Comments

Four Indicted For Distribution of Fentanyl That Killed USF Student

The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida issued a press release regarding indictments of four individuals suspected of distributing fentanyl that led to the death of a student at the University of South Florida. The release is posted below.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Miguel Cintron (36, Tampa), Marquise Trant (35, Tampa), David Chudhabuddhi (37, Tampa), and Darrius Gustafson (20, Tampa) with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death. All four are also charged with additional distributions of fentanyl over 40 grams. Cintron is further charged with possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted on all counts, each faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit all assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. All four defendants were arrested, made their initial appearances in federal court, and have been ordered detained pending trial.

According to the indictment and court documents, on February 16, 2024, Cintron, Trant, Chudhabuddhi, and Gustafson distributed a lethal amount of fentanyl that resulted in the death of Victim-1. Subsequent to Victim-1’s death, all four individuals continued to distribute fentanyl to undercover deputies and detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 10, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Cintron’s residence where law enforcement recovered firearms, several rounds of ammunition, more than 7 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of black tar heroin, 1 kilogram of heroin, 1,200 pressed pills containing fentanyl, and over $200,000 in cash.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the University of South Florida Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.