Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Drug Distribution Resulting in Toddler's Death

Fentanyl and Heroin Operation Linked to Tragic Loss of 15-Month-Old Child

In a sobering reminder of the opioid crisis' devastating reach, Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, a 35-year-old Bronx, New York resident, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison. This sentence comes after his admission of running a drug operation that led to the tragic death of a 15-month-old child. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.

Capellan Maldonado previously pled guilty to charges stemming from his operation of two drug mills in the Bronx, which were primarily involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl. His criminal activities culminated in a heartbreaking incident in December 2018, where a toddler present at one of the drug mills ingested fentanyl, leading to fatal consequences. This incident was part of the basis for the severe penalties imposed.

“In December 2018, a 15-month-old child ingested fentanyl and died. The toddler was in a Bronx apartment being used by Capellan Maldonado to run his drug distribution operation, preparing and packaging heroin and fentanyl. His drug mill led directly to the death of this child. The punishment he received today will not bring the child back, but the defendant is being brought to justice for the terrible effects of his role in trafficking this poison. The fentanyl epidemic has caused enormous pain and suffering to our communities, including the death of the child in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

In addition to the tragic December event, Capellan Maldonado was implicated in a subsequent operation in February 2019. This operation involved another Bronx apartment used for storing, mixing, and packaging large quantities of heroin and fentanyl intended for distribution in New Jersey. During a raid on February 27, 2019, law enforcement arrested Capellan Maldonado along with six associates as they attempted to flee. Nearly one kilogram of fentanyl was seized during the operation.

The severity of these crimes and their consequences prompted significant investigative efforts by Homeland Security Investigations Newark and the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division. These efforts were crucial in bringing Capellan Maldonado and his associates to justice.

Following his prison term, Capellan Maldonado will undergo five years of supervised release, as part of the continuing efforts to address and mitigate the opioid crisis that continues to affect communities across New Jersey and the broader United States. This case highlights the ongoing challenges and the critical need for vigilance and stringent enforcement in the battle against drug-related crimes and their tragic impacts.