Two Honduran Nationals Arrested In Charlotte County

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrests and filing of criminal complaints charging Noe Armando Melendez-Amador (35, Honduras) and Carlos Damian Acosta-Melendez (28, Honduras). Both were arrested in Charlotte County, Florida, on June 7, 2024. Melendez-Amador has been charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Acosta-Melendez has been charged with illegal re-entry by a previously deported alien and prior convicted felon and faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

According to the complaints and court records, an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent negotiated with Melendez-Amador to purchase approximately 15,000 pills of fentanyl. Melendez-Amador then traveled from Denver, Colorado, to Charlotte County, Florida, accompanied by Acosta-Melendez to conduct the drug transaction with the undercover agent. Upon their arrival, both were arrested, and the drugs were seized. The pills, which weighed nearly four pounds in total, bore the counterfeit marking “M 30,” giving them the appearance of pharmaceutical grade oxycodone pills.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Customs and Border Protection. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael V. Leeman and Trenton Reichling.