20 Years For Fentanyl Dealer

A drug trafficker who dealt fentanyl to a 16-year-old who overdosed was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. 

Julian Gabriel Apodaca pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

He was sentenced on Wednesday.

Amarillo police arrested Apodaca on August 9, 2023, during a search of his car, officers found 113 blue M-30 pills containing fentanyl, 25 grams of cocaine, and a 9mm pistol.

He admitted to selling fentanyl pills since the beginning of July.

Apodaca and several co-conspirators were indicted on August 24, 2023.

He pleaded guilty in January.

At his sentencing hearing, prosecutors introduced evidence that Apodaca dealt fentanyl to a 16-year-old who overdosed in the defendant’s car.

When he realized the teen had suffered an overdose, Apodaca ran off and asked associates to call 911.

First responders eventually revived the victim with Narcan.

Eight of Apodaca’s co-conspirators – including his sources of supply, Gary Eugene Carlisle, Robert Tucker Witt, and Rebecca Ann Schmitkons – pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one co-conspirator, Rachel Lynn Waddell, was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Witt was sentenced in May to 20 years in federal prison.

Eight of the defendants are awaiting sentencing.

One is set for trial in August.