US Federal Crackdown Targets Fentanyl Networks in California and South Dakota

In Sacramento, a federal grand jury indicted four men—Balentin Quintero, Francisco Chavez, Steven Ortega and Tavarius Montgomery—on multiple counts of distributing cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl between January and June 2026. The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and DEA Special Agent Bob P. Beris, includes charges for fentanyl distribution, cocaine distribution, methamphetamine distribution and felon‑in‑possession of firearms, with prosecutors seeking mandatory minimum sentences of five to ten years and fines up to $10 million.

Separately, federal prosecutors in South Dakota obtained convictions against 54 members of four separate narcotics networks that supplied fentanyl and methamphetamine to Sioux Falls, Rapid City, the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding communities. The operations moved more than 1,000 lb of meth and several kilograms of fentanyl powder and pills. Sentences total over 660 years in prison, including a 33‑year term for a Las Vegas leader who first introduced powdered fentanyl to the Sioux Falls market. Officials said the dismantling should help curb overdose deaths in the region.