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ST GEORGE — A St. George man received a 10-year prison sentence on Thursday after admitting to distributing large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and marijuana in Washington County, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah.
In March 2020, federal agents say Angel Rubio-Quintana, 42, had organized efforts to import and move drugs from Mexico to St. George. Between October 2021 and February 2022, agents intercepted over 200 phone calls, in which he discussed the purchase of drugs from Mexican suppliers using coded words, a news release noted.
Rubio-Quintana was indicted last year, along with 16 others, in connection with what federal prosecutors described as an alleged ring of drug distribution and money laundering. The U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday described Rubio-Quintana as the "ringleader."
Agents purchased methamphetamine and fentanyl in 13 controlled buys from the group, where they found the narcotics in a sour cream bucket, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.
The office said Rubio-Quintana distributed thousands of fentanyl pills, 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 45 pounds of marijuana to buyers in St. George — then wired the money to Mexico.
Rubio-Quintana's organization sent 60 wire transfers to Mexico between June 2021 and January 2022, totaling over $58,000, according to the release. As part of Rubio-Quintana's plea deal agreement, he will forfeit $23,666.
"Mr. Rubio-Quintana was the leader of one of the most prolific and sophisticated drug trafficking organizations in southern Utah. His sentencing, along with the dismantlement of his distribution network, signifies the Drug Enforcement Administration's relentless pursuit of individuals distributing poison throughout our communities," said Dustin Gillespie, assistant special agent in charge, in the release. "Today's sentencing is the result of a strong collaborative effort with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Utah."
Rubio-Quintana was originally indicted on 14 counts by a grand jury in February of 2022. Among the 16 others indicted was his son, Carlos Rubio-Acosta. Rubio-Acosta was a teenager when his father allegedly initiated him into the drug world, according to court documents.
"Mr. Rubio-Quintana's actions jeopardized the safety of the St. George community," said U.S. Attorney for Utah Trina A. Higgins. "Not only did he distribute dangerous narcotics, but he also took advantage of naive young people, convincing them to join in his conspiracy. We appreciate the efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and in removing this harm from our communities."
After Rubio-Quintana's 121-month prison sentence, he will face deportation, according to the release.
"The community in southern Utah can now feel safer knowing Mr. Rubio-Quintana was sentenced to a long time in prison," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, acting special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City FBI. "As the head of a drug trafficking organization, Rubio-Quintana was responsible for importing deadly drugs into St. George and other areas in the Western United States."
The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Internal Revenue Service and Washington County Drug Task Force all contributed to the case's investigations.
"It is the FBI's mission, along with our law enforcement partners, to ensure our communities remain safe," Gibson said. "This sentencing serves as a warning to others that drug trafficking will result in serious consequences."
