Rhode Island, Memphis Fentanyl Dealers Sentenced

Jorge 'Big Head' Pimentel, 36, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for operating a large-scale fentanyl lab and distributing counterfeit pills, with law enforcement seizing over 16 kilograms of fentanyl and materials for more than 633,000 fake pills. Pimentel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and prosecutors noted he used a runner to help distribute approximately 34,000 fentanyl-laced pills for $37,000 between May and September 2023. Authorities described the bust as one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Rhode Island history. In a separate case in Memphis, Tennessee, Christopher Young was sentenced to 11 years in prison for possessing a machine gun and 121 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Both cases highlight a broader federal crackdown on fentanyl trafficking and weapons offenses nationwide. The law enforcement actions underscore ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis and impose severe penalties on high-output drug traffickers.