Keys and Marion, Fentanyl Trafficking, Texas 2022

Fort Worth Fentanyl Traffickers Sentenced to 23 Years

In a major blow to the fentanyl trade in North Texas, two fentanyl traffickers were sentenced to a combined 23 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the sentencing.

Steven Keys, 28, and Rico Marion, 26, were indicted in August 2022 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Mr. Keys pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2022, followed by Mr. Marion shortly thereafter.

The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fort Worth Police Department, revealed that Mr. Keys and Mr. Marion dealt fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills out of a motel in Fort Worth. On July 12, 2022, after a surveillance team posted at the motel observed an apparent drug sale, law enforcement pulled Mr. Keys and Mr. Marion over on traffic violations.

Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered a Louis Vuitton bag containing $7,129 cash, likely derived from the sale of illegal drugs. The following day, law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage from convenience stores where open-air narcotics sales are known to occur and observed Mr. Keys and others dealing drugs from the vehicle.

They tracked the vehicle back to the motel and sent a confidential source into the room to purchase fentanyl pills. The confidential source stated he purchased five small blue pills – which he turned over to agents – from Mr. Keys. Agents arrested Mr. Keys without incident that evening. They arrested Mr. Marion in the motel room after breaching the door and deploying gas inside the motel.

A search of the room uncovered a black backpack containing approximately 1,000 fentanyl-laced blue pills, a .40 caliber handgun on the bed, and a plastic baggy of marijuana inside the toilet. The investigation further showed that Mr. Keys and Mr. Marion were peddling a poison that has devastating consequences for our communities.

“HSI is deeply committed to prosecuting those who bring illicit drugs into our communities,” said Todd Johnson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas.  “We hope these combined sentences send a direct message to the drug traffickers who peddle this poison that HSI will never relent in putting those away who have no regard for our nation’s laws.”

In a statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to have worked with our law enforcement partners to bring these defendants to justice. The distribution of fentanyl has had devastating consequences for our community, and we are committed to holding accountable those who contribute to this problem.”

Steven Keys was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, while Rico Marion was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison, a combined total of 23 years in prison for the duo.

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