12 men sentenced for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana in Tennessee, California

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Twelve members of a drug trafficking conspiracy were sentenced to more than 70 years combined for their roles in conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in middle Tennessee and elsewhere following a joint investigation with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Nashville.

According to court documents, around 2022, agents with ICE Nashville, FBI, and Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating large shipments of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills that were inscribed “M30,” methamphetamine, and marijuana that someone was shipping to Tennessee and approximately 16 other states from California.

Agents reviewed shipping materials, monitored social media accounts, and conducted surveillance before identifying Matthew Cox as the individual who was shipping these packages to members of the drug trafficking conspiracy. In their messages on social media applications and phones, the defendants discussed drug prices, drug shipments, and quality of the drugs. One defendant, Quortez Duncan, told Cox that he wanted stronger pills to get customers hooked on the pills to increase profits. Cox complied and attempted to send Duncan these pills, but agents seized them. Agents also learned that another defendant, Khyre McClain, attempted to establish and launder money through a limited liability corporation.

In addition to this evidence of shipments to other states, agents seized packages of drugs that were being shipped to Tennessee. Specifically, on July 25, 2022, ICE agents seized a package from a UPS Store in Sebastopol, Calif., which was destined for Nashville. This package contained thousands of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills weighing over two kilograms. The package also contained more than eight pounds of methamphetamine. On Aug. 9, 2022, ICE agents intercepted two additional packages from the Santa Rosa, Calif., area which were destined for residences in Nashville. One package contained 472 grams of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills, and the other package contained approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.

After collecting an overwhelming amount of evidence, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple residences in California and Tennessee. They recovered handguns, assault rifles, bulk cash, expensive cars, marijuana, and large amounts of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills.

Each defendant was convicted of conspiring to distribute controlled substances. Three defendants were also convicted of unlawfully possessing firearms after previously being convicted of felony offenses.

The defendants were sentenced as follows:

• Quortez Duncan, age 37, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
• Mathew Cox, age 28, was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison.
• Jonny Rodriguez-Gonzalez, age 26, was sentenced to 11 years and 2 months in federal prison.
• Ricardo Molinero-Alcarez, age 29, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
• Khyre McClain, age 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
• Davontay Holt, age 30, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
• Marcus Johnson, age 27, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison.
• Tristain Orr, age 25, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison.
• Ethan Kimes, age 22, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison.
• Marquitues Sawyers, age 24, was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in federal prison.
• Jahari Armstrong, age 22, was sentenced to 3 years of probation.
• Jaydan Armstrong, age 22, was sentenced to 3 years of probation.

This case was investigated by ICE in Tennessee and California, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI Nashville Field Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed Safeeullah and Rachel Stephens prosecuted this case.