Jamar Deontae Barnes, 42, of Stockton, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl-laced pills and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
From September 2015 to May 2019, Barnes worked with his twin brother and other associates to produce and sell thousands of counterfeit pills. These pills, which mimicked legitimate prescription medications, contained fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, heroin, and other synthetic opioids. In addition, pills designed to resemble Ecstasy were produced but were laced with methamphetamine.
The investigation culminated in a search of Barnes’ Stockton residence on May 16, 2019, where law enforcement seized a pill press, powders, and pills containing methamphetamine and furanyl fentanyl.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also confirmed that nine other defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with this case. Among them:
- Jamaine Dontae Barnes, scheduled for sentencing on March 24, 2025.
- Kavio Daeshaun Lee Wiley, sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Vincent Isaiah Patterson, scheduled for sentencing on January 28, 2025.
- Johnesha Denae Thompson, scheduled for sentencing on March 24, 2025.
- Kadrena Latrice Watts, scheduled for sentencing on March 17, 2025.
- Jeremy Jerome Barnett, sentenced to 57 months in prison.
- Chevele Bernard Richardson, sentenced to 79 months in prison.
- Tashawn Terrell Dickerson, sentenced to 46 months in prison.
- Lamont Montez Thibodeaux, scheduled for sentencing on March 24, 2025.
Barnes is set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on March 3, 2025, and faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years.
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