A Rhode Island man has received a prison sentence for his role in a fentanyl trafficking scheme that has impacted communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Mario Rafael Dominguez-Ortiz, 27, of Cranston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence comes after Dominguez-Ortiz's guilty plea in May 2024 for one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
In a statement released by the United States Attorney's Office, Dominguez-Ortiz was described as part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was led by Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara. The indictment, which included ten individuals, occurred in August 2022, setting the legal proceedings in motion. From July to November 2021, Dominguez-Ortiz delivered approximately 500 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating source, working as a courier for the DTO.
Such crimes are not isolated — they are part of a broader battle against opioid abuse, which often sees law enforcement agencies across various jurisdictions combine efforts to address the scourge. The investigation itself was a collaborative initiative that began in March 2021, highlighting the complex nature of drug distribution nets that sprawl across state lines. Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara pleaded guilty in December 2023 and is slated for sentencing on February 5, 2025.
The prosecution of this case is led by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), known for its intelligence-driven investigations and prosecutorial strategy. Alongside the U.S. Attorney's announcement, credit was given to various law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, local New England police departments, and Homeland Security Investigations. The multi-agency approach reflects OCDETF's goal to "identifies, disrupts, and dismantles" high-level criminal organizations threatening public safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is handling the prosecution.
The sentencing of Dominguez-Ortiz not only closes a case but also shows the continued commitment of federal and local law enforcement to fight the drug epidemic threatening many communities. As the opioid crisis continues, the impact of this case and others like it will be felt for years as authorities work to stop drugs like fentanyl from damaging neighborhoods across America.
