United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARRISONBURG, Va., – Iza Mar Rosario-Cruzado, 31, of Harrisonburg, Va., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Rosario-Cruzado further admitted her distribution of this drug mixture resulted in an overdose death.

“This sentence is a great example of our efforts to keep our local communities safe from the spread of drugs. Heroin and fentanyl are extremely deadly substances and those who spread this poison across our cities, acting with blatant disregard for the lives of the people who live here, will not be tolerated," said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong, of the Washington Division. “This case is a testament to the hard work DEA and our law enforcement partners do every day to keep these dangerous drugs out of the hands of our loved ones.”

According to court documents entered during today’s hearing, the victim was found deceased following a heroin and fentanyl overdose. Investigators determined that the day prior, Rosario-Cruzado distributed a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to Richard Mansfield. Mansfield subsequently redistributed the same drugs to the victim, who ingested them, resulting in his overdose death.

Rosario-Cruzado admitted to investigators that prior to the victim’s overdose death, she had been selling heroin for approximately two months. In addition, she told officers that Mansfield was her only customer.

Mansfield has already pleaded guilty to one count of distributing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

“Heroin laced with fentanyl is driving the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our district for the last several years,” said U.S. Attorney Cullen.  “We will continue to work closely with our state and local partners to investigate and prosecute cases involving overdose deaths and hold dealers accountable under federal law.” 

The investigation of the case was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Police, and Harrisonburg Police Department, with the assistance of Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha L. Garst. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeb Terrien is prosecuting the case for the United States.

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