Ricardo Julyan Kross Rios, Fentanyl Sales with Death Result, Texas 2022

Corpus Christi Man Faces Life for Fentanyl Trafficking

A Corpus Christi man has been found guilty of selling Fentanyl-laced pills that resulted in a person's death, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Ricardo Julyan Kross Rios, 21, acknowledged that he possessed and delivered a substance containing a detectable amount of Fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance, that resulted in the death of a person.

On December 10, 2022, authorities responded to a reported drug overdose and discovered a non-responsive individual pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was acute Fentanyl toxicity.

The investigation led to the discovery that the victim had purchased pills from Rios who then delivered them on December 9, 2022, to a parking lot where a party was occurring. The victim consumed them during that event.

Witnesses described the pills as 'press made' hydrocodone pills which may have contained Fentanyl.

On January 17, law enforcement encountered Rios at a residence in Corpus Christi in possession of a plastic bag containing 'pressed' pills as well as some additional loose powder and partial pills. Laboratory analysis later confirmed the pills and powder in the plastic bag did contain Fentanyl.

As part of his plea, Rios admitted to selling counterfeit 'pressed' hydrocodone pills similar to those found in his possession on January 17 to the victim on the evening of December 9, 2022.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing on October 17. At that time, Rios faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $1 million fine.

This case was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration in a cooperative law enforcement effort targeting Fentanyl with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office and police departments in Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass, and Mathis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting this case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/young-man-faces-life-selling-fentanyl-laced-pills-causing-death