Man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl in McAllen

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man accused of selling fentanyl in McAllen pleaded guilty on Thursday.

James Calvin Queen II, 41, of McAllen confessed to participating in a conspiracy to sell fentanyl.

“Guilty,” Queen said Thursday afternoon, when he appeared before a federal judge in McAllen.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Queen after buying fentanyl from Angel Valdez, 36, of Alton.

Angel Valdez (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.)

An undercover agent purchased fentanyl from Valdez on May 14, May 28 and June 11.

Valdez visited Queen’s apartment before the drug deals on May 28 and June 11, according to Queen’s plea agreement.

Armed with a search warrant, agents raided the apartment on June 23.

They seized a large amount of cash, a money-counting machine, scales and two loaded guns, according to DEA Special Agent Kevin Buechner, who testified during a hearing in June. Agents also discovered clear plastic bags that contained pills, which tested positive for fentanyl.

Queen agreed to speak with the DEA after his arrest

“Mr. Queen stated that he ‘helps out’ his friends,” Buechner said. “‘Helping out’ was him providing fentanyl to his friends and other people.”

Queen told the DEA he sold fentanyl “quite a bit,” Buechner said, and had 30 to 40 repeat customers.

James Calvin Queen II (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.)

A grand jury charged Queen with participating in a conspiracy to possess more than 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Queen struck a deal with the government and pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia, who is prosecuting the case, said the DEA had purchased 55 grams of fentanyl from Valdez during the drug deals in May and June. When agents searched Queen’s apartment, they found another 20 grams.

Dressed in black pants, a blue shirt and black glasses, Queen confessed to participating in the conspiracy.

Sentencing is scheduled for December. Queen faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison.

Valdez pleaded not guilty. He’s scheduled for a pretrial hearing in November.