Buckeye resident Jose Ruben Leyva has pled guilty in a cross-country fentanyl conspiracy reaching from Arizona to Ohio.
Leyva, 46, pleaded to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. According to the Southern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney's Office, Leyva and other co-conspirators mailed at least 13 packages of fentanyl between April and October of 2023 to Ontario M. Yarbrough, 26, who ran a drug house in the Hilltop area of Columbus, Ohio.
A search warrant at Yarbrough's house revealed a package which contained nearly 500 grams of fentanyl and led to the seizure of 10 additional bags containing white powder, two firearms with ammunition, cash and "drug trafficking material." A subsequent warrant at Leyva's home resulted in the confiscation of pills and power containing fentanyl, packaging and mailing materials, other drug paraphernalia and cash.
The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison by the Southern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officials. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Damoun Delaviz.
Leyva and Yarbrough face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
