Fentanyl Kingpin: Arcides Castillo-Dieguez Faces 10+ Years

Arcides Castillo-Dieguez, a 59-year-old Rochester man, is staring down a minimum 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

In a brutal display of greed, Castillo-Dieguez, a repeat offender with six prior felony convictions for narcotics distribution, supplied large quantities of fentanyl to other Rochester dealers. His reign of terror was finally brought to an end in May 2023, when law enforcement executed search warrants at three locations linked to the defendant.

The raids, conducted by the DEA, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Rochester Police Department, and GRANET, uncovered over four kilograms of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and heroin, as well as drug paraphernalia. Castillo-Dieguez’s use of a day care facility as a stash house is a particularly egregious example of his disregard for the law and the safety of his community.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Castillo-Dieguez’s crimes carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

The plea deal is the result of a long-term narcotics investigation, which identified Castillo-Dieguez as a bulk supply source of fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that the investigation was a significant success in disrupting the flow of deadly fentanyl into the community.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on our communities. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.