Four individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a fentanyl trafficking operation that led to the death of a U.S. Army dependent spouse in Fort Cavazos. According to court documents, the accused were allegedly responsible for transporting more than two pounds of fentanyl pills into the Central Texas area, some of which resulted in the tragic death.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Julio Bonilla-Tirado, also known as "Falo," aged 36, from Copperas Cove; Gilberto Hernandez-Marin, also known as "Joyto," "Lento," and "El Viejo," aged 28, from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico; Juan Cabral, also known as "Juanki," aged 31, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico; and Adxel Romero-Flores, also known as "Axel," aged 31, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Bonilla-Tirado was apprehended by the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Copperas Cove Police Department in Copperas Cove on September 14. Hernandez-Marin was arrested by the Puerto Rico Police Department on October 8. Cabral was captured by the United States Marshal Service Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force on October 19. Romero-Flores is presently held in custody within the judicial system of Puerto Rico for an unrelated criminal offense and is awaiting transfer into federal custody.
All four individuals, Bonilla-Tirado, Cabral, Romero-Flores, and Hernandez-Marin, face charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, resulting in death, as well as unlawful communications. If convicted, each defendant could face a penalty of 20 years to life in prison. The final sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
