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A key supplier in the Carrollton juvenile fentanyl overdose case has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the sentencing of 19-year-old Julio Gonzales, Jr., also known as “J-Money,” on Wednesday.

Gonzales, who was charged in July 2023 and pleaded guilty in October 2023, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade.

He faced charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

During the sentencing hearing, evidence revealed that Gonzales was one of three primary suppliers for Luis Eduardo Navarrete.

Navarrete, 22, distributed fentanyl to students at R.L. Turner High School, Dewitt Perry Middle School, and Dan Long Middle School.

“Julio Gonzalez will spend the next 15 years in federal prison because of his involvement in supplying and distributing poison in the form of one deadly pill.  Because of that same pill, illicit fentanyl, lives have been lost and families have been forever changed,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez. 

“The women and men of DEA Dallas will never stop investigating overdose and poisoning deaths and bring those responsible to justice.  We all must do our part to prevent and educate others that truly One Pill Can Kill.”

Navarrete himself was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison last week after prosecutors presented evidence indicating he ignored warnings about multiple child overdoses, including a message stating, “another youngin dead bro.”

Another key supplier, Jason Xavier Villanueva, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl to a minor.

The third supplier, Jessie Alexander Perez Martinez, is awaiting trial.

Gonzales admitted in his plea that he trafficked approximately 120,000 blue M-30 pills laced with fentanyl to Navarrete, Navarrete’s drug runner Robert Gaitan, and at least one juvenile dealer.

The pills were often sold in large quantities known as “K Packs,” containing 1,000 pills each.

Authorities arrested Gonzales on July 20 and searched his Dallas residence, uncovering 16,000 counterfeit M-30 pills, $74,294 in cash, and nine firearms.

The search also uncovered a Romanian Draco AK-47 style handgun, a Kel-Tec long-range pistol, and a Glock with a machine gun conversion device.

They also found high-capacity magazines, body armor, a vacuum sealer, digital scales, a money counter, and multiple cell phones.

This case has led to federal charges against 11 defendants and has been linked to 14 juvenile overdoses, four of which were fatal, involving children as young as 13.

“This defendant – a heavily-armed, prolific drug trafficker – was involved in providing pills that caused 14 Carrollton kids to overdose, and four of them to die,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton.

“I want to implore our community: Please, educate your children on the dangers of fentanyl. Drug traffickers are not your friends. They know one pill can kill, and they hand them over anyway.” 

The post Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Juvenile Fentanyl Overdoses appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Students at Amber Terrace, Cockrell Hill, and The Meadows elementary schools learned the value of where food comes from through a unique school project.

The garden revitalization project, sponsored by WIPRO at the University of North Texas at Dallas, educated PreK through 5th-grade students about the origins of food and the importance of healthy eating habits.

The program incorporated both hydroponic and traditional outdoor gardening methods, allowing students to engage in hands-on learning experiences.

The hydroponic system, which grows plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, provided an up-close view of plant root development and the overall life cycle of plants.

Meanwhile, the outdoor garden exposed students to conventional gardening practices, including soil preparation, seed planting, weeding, and watering.

Throughout the year, students cultivated a variety of plants and observed their growth from seeds to maturity.

Through their efforts and methods of gardening, the students were able to harvest fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens.

The harvest reinforced lessons on plant care and growth and supplied healthy food for students’ families.

At the end of the harvest, students even provided DeSoto ISD superintendent Dr. Usumah Rodgers with some of the produce from the students.

Rogers praised the program’s success in fostering an interest in gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship among DeSoto’s youngest learners.

The school district is said to be eager to continue this initiative in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, further nurturing the development of green thumbs among students.

For more information and to view a photo album of the project, click here.

The post Garden Project Teaches DeSoto ISD Students about Food and Health appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

DeSoto’s annual Crawfish Festival, a beloved family-friendly and community event celebrating Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage has been cancelled.

This year’s festival was cancelled due to forecasted inclement weather according to the city’s website and social media post.

“After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding and support,” the post read.

The post DeSoto Annual Crawfish Festival Cancelled appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

The Dallas Theater Center’s 40th annual CENTERSTAGE gala and fundraiser fundraised $400,000 from the “CENTERSTAGE 40: A Brand New Day,” themed event.  

The event chaired by Hamilton A. Sneed with honorary chairs T.D. and Serita Jakes and Helen and Frank Risch, commemorated the theater’s 65 years of artistic contributions and its Tony Award-winning legacy.

“Tonight is all about celebrating not only the work that DTC does on the stage but also the work that DTC does off the stage and in our community,” Sneed said.

“I want to challenge you tonight to think about the next generation of young people and the next 65-plus years of the theater. We don’t get to 40 Centerstage nights or 65 years of theater without the support of friends like each of you.”

The gala brought together nearly 260 guests, including Linda and Bill Custard, Anita Hawkins, Kimberly Alexander, Chuck Steelman, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Diane and Hal Brierley, and Kristen and Reed Gibbons.

The evening was designed to mirror the elegance and ambiance of Broadway’s iconic Supper Club, 54 Below, featuring themed cocktails, live entertainment, and exclusive auction experiences.

Guests were welcomed with Lallier Champagne and treated to live performances by Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company members Tiffany Solano and Zachary J. Willis.

The pre-dinner cocktail reception also featured a pop-up gallery showcasing works by participants in DTC’s Public Works and historical highlights from Project Discovery.

Sneed opened the formal proceedings with a warm welcome and expressions of gratitude, notably recognizing the original 1984 Centerstage Chairs Linda Custard, Bess Enloe, and Jane Dune.

But the highlight of the evening was a dazzling performance by the legendary Broadway star André De Shields.

Guests enjoyed a VIP meet-and-greet with De Shields, adding a personal to