James Queen, Fentanyl Trafficking, Texas 2025
McALLEN, Texas – James Queen, a 41-year-old resident of McAllen, has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Queen pleaded guilty on September 4, 2025. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now imposed a 60-month term of imprisonment for Queen, and 27 months for co-defendant Angel Valdez, 36, of Alton. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences.
The investigation began in May 2025 when law enforcement discovered that Angel Valdez was selling fentanyl in the McAllen area. Over the next two months, authorities determined that Queen supplied Valdez with fentanyl.
As part of an undercover operation, law enforcement purchased more than 50 grams of fentanyl directly from Valdez. During the investigation, authorities learned that Valdez routinely met Queen at his residence to obtain the drugs.
On June 23, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Queen’s residence and seized an additional 15 baggies of fentanyl weighing more than 50 grams. They also discovered multiple firearms, a bulletproof vest, a large amount of currency, and a money counter.
Queen later confessed that he distributed user-level amounts of fentanyl to approximately 30 repeat customers. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
Valdez and Queen have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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