Three Denver residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in a death, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Felicia Ortiviz, 36, Joe Elijo Herrera, 51, and Alina Serena Ochoa-Luna, 33, face one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. Ochoa-Luna faces an additional charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Ortiviz is also charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl to a person under twenty-one years old.
Statements made during court proceedings indicate that Herrera began selling counterfeit M/30 pills containing illicit fentanyl—known as “blues”—to the victim shortly after the victim turned nineteen in September 2023. The sales reportedly continued until late January 2024 when Herrera’s girlfriend, Ortiviz, started selling blues directly to the victim. On February 13, 2024, Ochoa-Luna allegedly delivered blues to Ortiviz at the residence shared by Ortiviz and Herrera. That evening, Ortiviz distributed blues to the victim at their residence. The victim returned home to his apartment in a student housing complex and died soon after due to toxic effects from fentanyl.
“The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
If found guilty at trial, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and could be sentenced up to life.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Denver Police Department are leading the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Transnational Organized Crime and Money Laundering Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Case number: 25-cr-00327-WJM
