PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jose Gonzalez, 35, Jamie Velez, 46, Oswaldo Merced-Rivera, 38, and Anyelo Rondon-Herrera, 32, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and related offenses. In addition, Gonzalez, Velez, and Merced-Rivera were charged with distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.
The superseding indictment alleges that defendant Gonzalez was a leader of a drug trafficking organization (hereinafter, the “Hot Sauce DTO”), which received, processed, and distributed bulk quantities of fentanyl in the area of the 2800 block of Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia’s Kensington section, and elsewhere, with defendants Velez and Merced-Rivera serving as DTO block managers and supervisors (“case workers”), and defendant Rondon-Herrera responsible for packaging and stamping fentanyl packets, as well as supplying pre-packaged fentanyl to DTO members for distribution or re-sale.
The Hot Sauce DTO sold fentanyl in “bundles,” which each consisted of approximately 16 individual bags, the superseding indictment alleges, consistently selling up to 100 bundles of fentanyl per day, and, at a minimum, at least 200 bundles of fentanyl per week, during the time of the charged drug trafficking conspiracy. The DTO mixed fentanyl with various adulterants, also referred to as “cuts,” containing controlled and non-controlled substances, including heroin, medetomidine, xylazine, carfentanil, tetracaine, procaine, phenyltetrahydromidazothiazole, lidocaine, and benzocaine, to make the supply go further, expand profit margins, and “boost” and extend the drugs’ effects.
As further alleged, on or about August 3, 2025, on or around the 2800 block of Kensington Avenue, Gonzalez, Velez, and Merced-Rivera knowingly and intentionally distributed, and aided and abetted the distribution of, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and carfentanil, both Schedule II controlled substances, resulting in the death of an individual who used those substances.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum possible sentences of life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Chester County Detectives, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey T. Mills and MaryTeresa Soltis.
The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.