Dallas man who sold fentanyl pills to minors will spend 20 years in federal prison following guilty plea

Dallas, Texas – A Dallas man who admitted taking part in a fentanyl trafficking operation that supplied counterfeit pills to minors has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, federal officials announced.

United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said Demario White, 40, received the sentence on July 6 after pleading guilty to a federal drug charge connected to the distribution of fentanyl-laced pills. Authorities said the case highlighted the serious danger posed by counterfeit pills, especially when they reach young people.

“Let this lengthy sentence serve as a warning that anyone who distributes deadly drugs to children in the Northern District of Texas will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Just two milligrams of fentanyl—equivalent to 10-15 grains of table salt—is considered a lethal dose. My office is laser focused on eradicating this deadly drug from our communities throughout North Texas.”

Investigation uncovered thousands of counterfeit pills

According to court documents, White supplied counterfeit M30 pills containing fentanyl to a juvenile male. After receiving the pills, the juvenile and one of his friends took them. Authorities said the friend’s life was put in danger after the pills caused an overdose.

The 14-year-old survived only after receiving emergency medical treatment.

During the investigation, the juvenile told police that a man he knew as “Mario” had sold him and his friend seven pills for $35.

As investigators gathered evidence, they identified White as the person allegedly responsible for supplying the drugs.

On April 17, 2024, officers secured an arrest warrant and later carried out a search warrant at White’s apartment on Brookgreen Drive in Dallas.

During the search, law enforcement officers discovered thousands of counterfeit M30 pills containing fentanyl inside the residence. Investigators said the seizure revealed the large scale of White’s drug operation.

After being arrested, White admitted to officers that he regularly obtained between 3,000 and 4,000 fentanyl pills at a time. According to court records, he told investigators he sold each pill for $5.

Federal prosecutors said those admissions helped demonstrate the volume of drugs involved in the trafficking operation.

“Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered,” said Ivan Carrera, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “Selling drugs alone is a serious transgression, but to sell deadly fentanyl to a juvenile is one of the most shocking and callous ways to hurt a community. The sentence handed down to Mr. White is a clear message that the production and trafficking of fentanyl will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods. DEA Dallas and our partners will continue to work together and keep this poison off our streets.”

Guilty plea followed by lengthy prison sentence

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against White in May 2024.

He later chose to plead guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, avoiding a trial.

The case was heard by U.S. District Judge Godbey, who sentenced White to 240 months, or 20 years, in federal prison.

The investigation was carried out through a joint effort involving several law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Richardson Police Department, the Hickory Creek Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.

The federal prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phelesa M. Guy.

Federal officials said the case demonstrates their continued focus on stopping fentanyl trafficking throughout North Texas, particularly when children are placed at risk. They warned that even extremely small amounts of fentanyl can be deadly and stressed that those who manufacture or distribute the drug, especially to minors, can expect aggressive federal prosecution and lengthy prison sentences.