Category: Press Release
Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
Read the orignal article on the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District website.
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Raleigh fentanyl dealer who used social media platforms to advertise his product was sentenced to 144 months in prison, which includes an enhancement for the defendant’s attempts to intimidate government witnesses. On April 25, 2024, Axel Rodriguez a/k/a “Flash,” age 23, pled guilty to conspiracy and trafficking of fentanyl.
“Drug traffickers are increasingly pushing deadly fake pills through social media. They’ve learned they don’t need to stand on street corners when they can reach kids on their smart phones,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax sold on social media are driving addiction and overdose death. It’s time to get the word out and warn kids of the risks.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in March 2023, Rodriguez became the subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Raleigh Police Department (RPD) investigation after he was identified as selling fentanyl in the Raleigh area using his Instagram account. Rodriguez regularly used his Instagram account to post pictures of the pills he was selling, as well as guns. Rodriguez would advertise that he was able to sell “K packs” of fentanyl pills, which is slang for 1,000 pills. Investigators reviewed Rodriguez’s Instagram account and observed numerous posts of firearms, gang members with firearms, and fentanyl pills for sale.
The investigation revealed Rodriguez was obtaining thousands of pills at a time and then distributing them in the Raleigh area. Between March and May of 2023, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of blue pills marked “M-30” from Rodriguez. For example, on March 13, 2023, investigators purchased 25 pills marked “M30.” The confidential informant reported that he observed four firearms in Rodriguez’s vehicle during that transaction. The pills tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Continue reading “Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison”Fentanyl Fatality Victim Summit ROBESON County, Pembroke NC
| When | Saturday, September 21, 2024, 10:30am – 3:30pm. Doors open 10 AM |
| Where | Bear Swamp Baptist Church, 1948 St. Anna Road, Pembroke, NC |
| Who | Guest Speakers: Senator Britt, Representative Lowery, District Attorney Scott, Sheriff Wilkins & 40+ NC Fentanyl Victim Families available for on-site interviews |
***Private Event. Must pre-register. Press permitted with credentials. Free On-Site Lunch Provided***
Contacts
| Host: | Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 www.fentvic.org |
| Regional Co-Host: | Leslie Locklear, President, Fight4Me Foundation, 910-733-9788, info@fight4mefoundation.org 501(c)(3) EIN: 92-2765832 www.fight4mefoundation.org |
Click here or scan QR code to register.
Fentanyl Awareness Music Video Shoot & Fundraiser
PRESS RELEASE
FENTANYL AWARENESS MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT & FUNDRAISER ~ FREE!
Nonpartisan Family Fun Event with Kid Friendly Activities, Food Trucks & Free Naloxone
WHEN: Sunday, 5/19/24 from 12 noon – 4 pm with FREE PARKING
WHERE: Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington NC 28401
WHO: Open to the Public! Kid Friendly! FREE! Anyone who lost a loved one to fentanyl, allies, advocates for life-saving NALOXONE in ALL NC SCHOOLS, music lovers, students, educators, health care providers, publicity hounds, anyone who dreams of being in a music video, law enforcement, press, nonprofits, those in recovery.
CONTACTS:
Scott Maitland, Side-By-Side Entertainment, 516-304-6499, sidebysideent@gmail.com
Barb Walsh, fentvic.org, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
FEATURED ARTISTS: 22JAX & LADYDICE song collaboration “For Yall”
Z107.5 fm with Foz broadcasting live!
SCHEDULE 12-4pm: 12 gates open. Entire time = games, raffle, food & music. 1-2pm Nonprofits Speak on Dangers of Fentanyl & Urge Naloxone in ALL NC Schools & Public Spaces. 2-3pm Video Shoot. 3:30 Raffle Drawing.
NC NONPROFITS WHO FIGHT FENTANYL SAVE LIVES TOGETHER!
Fentvic.org, Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina
Forgotten Victims of North Carolina
Fight4Me Foundation
It’s Bigger Than Me: Michiko La’Deja Duff Foundation
FACTS:
- 17,212 NC residents’ fentanyl involved fatalities in 10 years. Fentanyl fatalities occur in all 100 NC Counties, 2013-Jan 2024 (NC OCME)
- 469 fentanyl fatalities in New Hanover County in 10 years 2013-3/2023 (NC DPH Injury&Prevention Branch Epidemiology Surveillance Informatics unit)
- 7 out of 10 ‘street’ pressed copy-cat pills contain lethal fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
- 10 NC residents killed by fentanyl each day (NC OCME)
- This means 10 more NC families implode each day.
- NC is #4 in nation in fentanyl fatalities (CDC 2023) yet #10 in population.
- Fentanyl is leading cause of death in NC for 18–25-year-olds (CDC 2022)
- Links to NC fentanyl fatality data. Go to www.fentvic.org website, select RESOURCES tab, select NC COUNTY REPORTS, select COUNTY NAME you are interested in.
RULES: Have fun! Sandbags must be used for all tents and banners, no stakes in ground. No weapons of any kind. No alcohol. No political signs
Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org
Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives
| Date | Wednesday 5/1/24 10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator. |
| Location | North Carolina Legislative Building 16 West Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 |
Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).
Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org
Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives
| Date | Wednesday 5/1/24 10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator. |
| Location | North Carolina Legislative Building 16 West Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 |
Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).
Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org
Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered
| Date | Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 10:00-11:00 am |
| Location | North Carolina Legislative Building 16 West Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 |
Please RSVP to attend the event.
Billboard Campaign: Who Dies Next? fentvic.org hosts PSA Campaign
FIGHT FENTANYL to SAVE LIVES Digital Billboard Campaign
In Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union Counties, NC
1/7—1/21/2024
CONTACT
Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 www.fentvic.org
Contact Barb to schedule interviews with local fentanyl victim families
4 LOCATIONS: Gaston, Mecklenburg and Union County, NC (see below)
Gastonia, Gaston County: I-85 just north of Cox Road exit facing South
South Charlotte, Mecklenburg County: 1) I-77 Southbound, near Westinghouse Blvd 2) I-77 Northbound, north of I-485 interchange, 3/10 mile Arrowood Rd
Monroe, Union County: US-74 Walkup Avenue, faces east
DETAILS
- 1/7@12am -1/21/24@11:59pm. Runs 24/7, digital and illuminated.
- Hosted by fentvic.org, NC fentanyl victim families and corporate good citizen Adams Outdoor (Julie Belnap, Account Executive)
- Features 15 NC fentanyl fatality victims killed by fentanyl 15 different ways.
- 1/20/24 Family Summit on Fentanyl Fatalities: Public Safety, Awareness & Justice.
- 10:30-3:30. Private Event for NC Fentanyl Victim Families & Press who pre-register. Separate press release to be issued.
PURPOSE:
- SAVE LIVES!
- Spark public safety conversations within communities and amongst families about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet)
- 7 out of 10 ‘street’ counterfeit pills contain lethal dose of fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
- Raise awareness about 16,228 NC fentanyl fatalities, 2013-September 2023 (NC OCME)
- 1,615 fentanyl fatalities combined occurred in Gaston (311), Mecklenburg (1,118) and Union (186) 2013-Sept 2023 (source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics Death Certificate Data)
- Links to fentanyl fatality data on fentvic.org website:
ABOUT
- Fentvic is a charitable nonprofit located in Wake County NC. EIN #88-3921380
- Fentvic is a action oriented grassroots nonprofit that promotes Public Safety, Education, Justice, Advocacy, and Support of NC fentanyl victim families in all 100 NC Counties
Vance & Adjacent Counties Fentvic Meetup #7 on 11/5/23
FENTANYL VICTIMS’ FAMILIES ORGANIZE TO FIGHT ILLICIT FENTANYL IN NC!
Fentvic Meetup #7 for Vance & Adjacent Counties NC (open to the public)
| Date | Sunday, November 5, from 2-4PM |
| Location | Pentecostal Holiness Church 621 US-158 Bypass Henderson NC 27536 |
FIGHT ILLICIT FENTANYL CAMPAIGN, NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC
FENTVIC.ORG is pleased to host:
FIGHT ILLICIT FENTANYL CAMPAIGN, NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC
10/8-22/2023 Public Safety Digital Billboard Campaign
10/14/23 Family Summit on Fentanyl Fatalities in NC: Public Safety & Justice Conference
DETAILS
- 10/8 @12am -10/22/23 @ 11:59pm. Runs 24/7, digital and illuminated.
- New Hanover County, NC, 6 locations (see below)
- Made possible by NC fentanyl victim families & corporate good citizens Lamar Advertising (Cynthia Barbour) & Adams Outdoor (Julie Belnap)
- Features 13 Eastern NC fentanyl fatality victims killed by fentanyl 13 different ways.
- 10/14/23 Family Summit on Fentanyl Fatalities: Public Safety & Justice Conference.
10:30-3:30. Private Event for NC Fentanyl Victim Families & Press who pre-register. Separate press release to be issued.
PURPOSE:
- SAVE LIVES!
- Raise awareness about 13,957 fentanyl fatalities in NC, 2013-22 (source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics Death Certificate Data)
- 440 fentanyl fatalities occurred in New Hanover County 2013-22 (source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics Death Certificate Data)
- Spark public safety conversations within communities and amongst families about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pills.
- 7 out of 10 ‘street’ counterfeit pills contain lethal dose of fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
- Link to New Hanover fentanyl fatality data on fentvic.org website: https://fentanylvictimsnetworknc.org/wp-content/uploads/reports/New_Hanover_County.pdf
CONTACT
- Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic), www.fentvic.org
- Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
- Fentvic is a charitable nonprofit located in Wake County NC. EIN #88-3921380
- Fentvic is a grassroots organization that promotes public safety, justice, education, advocacy, and support of NC fentanyl victim families in all 100 NC Counties
- In partnership with Forgotten Victims of NC, Patricia Drewes, Founder, 252-204-9611, patriciadrewes@yahoo.com, link to FB page: http://forgottenvictimsofnc.org/
Locations: 6 Public Safety Billboards in New Hanover County
- 143 S College Road + Market Street
- 5216 Oleander Drive + Hawthorne
- 1328 US 421 + Spencer Farlow Drive
- US-17 + 7491 Market Street
- US-17 + Military Cutoff exit
- US-17S + NC210