Isaac Melendez-Carranza, a 31-year-old man from El Salvador, has been arrested and charged with distributing fentanyl near a Virginia high school. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Melendez-Carranza was arrested on August 20 and is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
Melendez-Carranza has a history of entering the United States without authorization. He was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Hebbronville, Texas, on May 3, 2016, and was released on bond on July 13, 2016. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Melendez-Carranza on July 18, 2024.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office identified Melendez-Carranza as a suspected drug dealer connected to overdoses involving students at Park View High School in May. Deputies seized approximately 100 pills and $1,000 in cash during a search of his home.
Loudoun County Public Schools confirmed that multiple students had been hospitalized following suspected overdoses at Park View High School in May. The school system noted that it was unclear whether the incidents were connected and could not immediately confirm whether controlled substances were involved.
A detainer has been lodged with the Loudoun County Jail for Melendez-Carranza, who will be transferred to federal immigration authorities after his local criminal charges are resolved.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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