United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN ANTONIO – A Pearsall man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 24 years in prison for one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Elberto Roy Trevino Jr. aka Lil Roy, 50, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in July 2022. Specifically, on July 4, 2022, Trevino coordinated via text message to sell a substance to an individual. The individual believed they were purchasing cocaine from Trevino. Later that day, the individual was found deceased. From the scene, officers recovered loose powder and a rock-like substance that each tested positive for fentanyl, and another white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

On the same day, two other individuals were found deceased inside their Pearsall residence. Officers removed a bag that contained .21 grams of white powdery substance that tested positive for fentanyl.

On July 27, 2022, officers executed a search warrant at Trevino’s residence, recovering approximately 44.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine, 46.4 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, a bag containing miscellaneous ammunition, and a handgun that had been reported stolen out of San Antonio.

Trevino pleaded guilty on Aug. 30, 2023 to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. At the sentence hearing, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Trevino to 120 months in prison for the felon in possession of a firearm charge, and 292 months for the conspiracy charge. Both penalties will run concurrently.

"This case demonstrates the ongoing fentanyl threat facing our country today and the complete disregard for human lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division. “A batch laced with fake fentanyl instantly claimed the lives of four people, three of whom Trevino was responsible for. We understand this sentence won't be a closure for the families forever grieving these tragic losses. Still, we want this sentence to be a clear reminder to those who are thinking about selling fake fentanyl to realize there will be grave consequences awaiting."

“Several people in the Pearsall community lost their lives over one Fourth of July weekend because of a single batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “While the victims chose to engage in illicit drug use, had it not been for the miniscule amount of deadly fentanyl they ingested, they likely would still be alive today. This is a very dangerous poison that everyone must be cautious of, and, with the efforts of our partners, we will continue to disrupt the infiltration of fentanyl into our communities.”

The DEA, Pearsall Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Hail prosecuted the case.