Billy Ortega, a 35-year-old from West Milford, New Jersey, was convicted in Manhattan federal court for running a drug delivery service that distributed fentanyl-laced cocaine, killing three young New York City professionals in a single day. A jury found Ortega guilty on multiple counts, including narcotics distribution resulting in death, after a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.
The victims—Julia Ghahramani, Amanda Scher, and Ross Mtangi—each died on March 17, 2021, after consuming drugs delivered by Ortega’s network. Ortega operated his narcotics ring from his mother’s Manhattan apartment, using family and close associates to store drugs and cash, coordinate deliveries, and protect his operation with firearms. He acted as a central dispatcher, managing transactions and deliveries via text message across the city.
Chilling evidence presented at trial revealed Ortega was warned hours before the fatal deliveries that his drugs had nearly killed another customer. At 2:29 p.m. on March 17, 2021, he received a text: “Hey man. Just on a follow up from yesterday – I gave most of my last bag to my buddy and he just called me this second to say he ended up in hospital last night. [. . .] He had to get a Narcan shot and was released in the early hours.” Ortega read the message but continued distributing the same tainted batch.
Later that night, after the three victims had stopped responding to his messages, Ortega texted another dealer offering the same deadly batch, saying: “If you[’re] going to be around way let me know have some every one is saying it’s to[o] Strong . . . Give it to some girls and you let me know lol bro.” The callous message underscored the indifference prosecutors said defined Ortega’s operation.
Ortega was convicted of one count of narcotics conspiracy resulting in death, three counts of narcotics distribution resulting in death, and one count of use and carrying of a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy. Each charge carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison. Sentencing was not immediately scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “Billy Ortega ran a drug delivery service that delivered fentanyl, killing three victims on a single day. Worse yet, Ortega was fully aware that a customer had previously overdosed from the deadly fentanyl Ortega laced into his product, yet continued sending the drugs to his victims.” Williams emphasized that the case reflects the ongoing devastation of the fentanyl epidemic and remains a top enforcement priority for his office.
Related Federal Cases
- Billy Ortega Convicted in Fentanyl Deaths of 3 NYC Professionals · New Jersey
- Jose Migel Cleto Admits Fentanyl Distribution · New Jersey
- Four Bergen County Residents Charged in Fentanyl, Heroin Trafficking Ring · New Jersey
- Fentanyl Kingpin Cleto Gets 25 Months for 400g Fentanyl Deal · New Jersey
- New York Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Fentanyl Conspiracy · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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