Four indicted for selling fentanyl

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A federal grand jury in Lexington indicted four people related to selling large quantities of fentanyl, according to prosecutors.

39-year old Gadiel Ortiz-Flores, of Lawrenceburg, 38-year old Brian Walker, of Lawrenceburg, 29-year old Miguel Alberto Esparza, of Lexington and 24-year old Megan Nicole Slone, of Lexington, were indicted Thursday for conspiracy and distribution offenses related to fentanyl, according to investigators.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, which is as much as 80-to-100 times more potent than morphine and 25-to-100 times more potent than heroin, according to health officials.

The indictment alleges that, beginning in August 2017 and continuing through December 5, 2017, the four named defendants conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in Fayette and Anderson counties. The indictment further alleges distribution of fentanyl in Fayette County, on specific dates in August, September, and November 2017. Finally, the indictment charges each of the defendants with possessing 400 grams or more of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.

The defendants next court appearance hasn’t been scheduled.