Rhode Island Man Faces 20 Years for Southeastern Mass Fentanyl Ring Ties

BOSTON – In a shocking turn of events, Mario Rafael Dominguez-Ortiz, 27, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to his involvement in a high-stakes fentanyl trafficking operation in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island on April 30, 2024.

A federal grand jury indicted Dominguez-Ortiz in August 2022, along with nine other individuals, for their roles in the trafficking ring. The investigation, led by Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara, began in March 2021, and identified Dominguez-Ortiz as a key player in the operation.

As part of his plea deal, Dominguez-Ortiz admitted to delivering fentanyl on four separate occasions between July and November 2021 to a cooperating source. Each delivery was in quantities consistent with further distribution, according to court documents.

U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs has scheduled Dominguez-Ortiz’s sentencing for August 6, 2024. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Bedford Police, and other law enforcement agencies involved in the case. “This case is a prime example of the devastating impact of fentanyl trafficking on our communities,” Levy said.

The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to disrupt and dismantle high-level criminal organizations.

Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara, the leader of the trafficking ring, pleaded guilty in December 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2024. The case serves as a warning to those involved in the fentanyl trade: law enforcement is watching and will bring them to justice.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and local police departments.