Florida Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Furanyl Fentanyl Resulting In Death

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Antonorio Nelson (29, Lakeland) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute furanyl fentanyl resulting in death. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison.

Furanyl fentanyl is a Schedule I controlled substance that is used in the same manner as fentanyl. Because of its potency, a small amount of furanyl fentanyl is potentially lethal.

According to the plea agreement, between February 2 and 6, 2017, Nelson conspired to distribute furanyl fentanyl that resulted in the death of “T.C.,” who died from furanyl fentanyl intoxication. The investigation of “T.C.’s” death identified Nelson as the supplier. “T.C.” had purchased baggies of furanyl fentanyl with green dragon stamps on them from Nelson on February 3, 2017. The next morning, “T.C.” was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

On February 6, 2017, detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Nelson’s residence. Inside the home, detectives found 73 baggies of furanyl fentanyl and a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Several of the furanyl fentanyl baggies recovered during the search had a green dragon stamp consistent with the bags “T.C.” had purchased from Nelson before dying.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.