Joel David Fonseca Flores, 45, of Orlando, was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison on March 28 for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy that led to death, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the sentence, highlighting the gravity of the case.
Fonseca Flores, alongside co-defendant Misty Lynn Parady, 35, sold counterfeit “M30” pills laced with fentanyl to a woman identified as “N.K.” between April 2020 and April 2022. The victim initially believed the pills were oxycodone but later discovered they contained fentanyl and warned the pair via text message. Despite the warning, Fonseca Flores and Parady continued selling the counterfeit pills until N.K. tragically died of a fentanyl overdose on April 4, 2022.
The DEA reported that on October 3, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and seized additional counterfeit pills, cocaine, cash, and a firearm from the defendants’ vehicle. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pills contained fentanyl.
A further investigation revealed more firearms, ammunition, fentanyl-laced pills, and other drugs during a search of the defendants’ Orlando home in April 2024. Fonseca Flores, a convicted felon, was unlawfully in possession of firearms.
Parady pleaded guilty on May 24, 2024, to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. She was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison on August 26, 2024.
Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division, remarked, “Cases like this reinforce drug traffickers care only about profit and driving addiction. DEA will pursue drug traffickers with everything we have to make our communities safe and healthy.”
