United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WESTON, Fla. - Hugo Margenat-Castro, 25, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin and distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the death of another.  He faces a mandatory minimum term of 20 years and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Margenat-Castro used a social media website called the “Experience Project” to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Orlando. He posted the equivalent of an advertisement on the website under the headings “I Love Heroin” and “Heroin in Orlando.” Margenat-Castro would then post his phone number in order for individuals to contact him if they wanted to purchase heroin, bragging about the potency of the heroin. From January 2015 through October 7, 2015, Margenat-Castro distributed over 100 grams of heroin.

After visiting the “Experience Project” website, a buyer contacted Margenat-Castro and arranged to purchase heroin from him. The buyer drove to Orlando from Georgia and purchased the heroin on August 18, 2015. He overdosed and died several hours later. A medical examiner determined that he had died of fentanyl toxicity. A laboratory analysis of the remaining drugs the buyer had purchased from Margenat-Castro revealed that the suspected heroin was actually fentanyl.

Following his arrest, Margenat-Castro admitted that he had been selling heroin mixed with fentanyl, and that he often had warned customers that the “heroin” was so strong that that they should only use a half a bag at a time.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Investigative Bureau, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida.