A major fentanyl distributor in Abilene has been sentenced to life in federal prison, capping a multiyear probe that dismantled a drug ring and led to a sharp decline in local opioid overdoses, federal prosecutors said.
Kurtney Bernard Jones, also known as “KP,” was found guilty by a jury in August 2025 on two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix imposed the life term on February 5.
“The scale of this drug trafficking organization and this defendant’s leadership of it warrants a life sentence,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. “Our law enforcement partners took down a massive fentanyl distribution ring over a 2-year operation. I applaud their collaborative efforts together with the prosecutors in my office in successfully removing these dangerous drugs and those peddling them from the Abilene community.”
“The defendant’s role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed a large quantity of narcotics into Abilene and the surrounding area warrants the life sentence that was imposed in this case,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and protect our communities from the threat of dangerous drugs.”
“This life sentence reflects the seriousness of fentanyl trafficking and our continued commitment to protecting communities from those who profit by distributing deadly drugs,” said DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “This case highlights the strength of our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together to hold dangerous traffickers accountable and keep our communities safe.”
Trial evidence showed Jones took over a drug trafficking organization in December 2023, sourcing supplies from Dallas and arranging shipments of 42,000 fentanyl pills, 140 grams of heroin, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, and an additional 4,600 grams of fentanyl to the Abilene region. He threatened competitors and dealt in firearms.
At his arrest, authorities found him with 452 grams of fentanyl, $225,994.25 in cash, a pill press, capsules, and 318.95 grams of heroin.
The case stemmed from “Operation Top Shelf,” a joint narcotics effort by seven agencies that featured two takedowns. The first, in February 2024, involved over 80 personnel seizing 29 kilograms of methamphetamine, 721 grams of cocaine, 1,370 grams of fentanyl, and 60 firearms, resulting in arrests and indictments of 17 methamphetamine and cocaine dealers.
The second takedown in September 2024 netted 12 fentanyl traffickers, including Jones. Following the operations, opioid overdose rates in Abilene dropped significantly, according to federal records.
Jones’ sentencing concludes proceedings for all 31 defendants in the operation, who collectively received more than 360 years in prison, excluding his life term, for a total of 4,328 months. Sentences include:
- Rafael Perez: 360 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Diana Nichole Perez, aka Diana Santana: 292 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Eddie Ochoa Lomas: 240 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Tylik Ojur Johnson: 210 months for distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Nathaniel Deal: 262 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Lisa Ann Beckham: 204 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Angel Alvarez: 200 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Orson Rolando Ortegon: 188 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Joshua Gosson: 180 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Marquee Anthony Aboso, aka “OC”: 175 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Hannah Rai Gongora, aka Hannah Alvarez: 172 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Laura Trevino: 156 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Alexandrea Delgado: 151 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Petra Soliz: 151 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Juan Manuel Oliveros, Jr.: 150 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jeremiah Greene, aka “Lil Mexico”: 132 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Bradley Kirk Gutierrez: 121 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jimmy Rangel: 120 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Gloria Santibanez: 114 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jason Eugene DeLeon: 108 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Steven Lattimore, aka “PNut”: 103 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Mckenzee Marie Lane: 102 months for distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Joseph Brassell: 96 months for possession to distribute fentanyl.
- Robert Lee Mason: 96 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Glen Edward Lee, Jr.: 70 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Maxine Gonzales: 63 months for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Christopher Thompson: 54 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Jacob Lee DeLeon: 27 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Paul Eli Snyder: 21 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Christopher Anthony Glaze: 10 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Participating agencies included DEA Fort Worth, FBI Dallas Field Office – Abilene Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF Dallas, IRS – Criminal Investigations, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Abilene Police Department, and Callahan County Sheriff’s Office.
The effort aligned with the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a multiagency push to combat cartels, gangs, and trafficking networks through coordinated enforcement.
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas led the case.
