Three Men Charged in Conspiracy to Distribute Millions of Fentanyl Pills
ORLANDO, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Patrick Silfrain (40, Winter Garden), aka “Prada,” “Haitian Pat,” Kevin Jean-Gilles (39, Orlando), aka “G,” “Cole,” “Darren Tai,” “Vincent DiPietro,” and Jean Kesnor Choisil (50, Ocoee) with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, at least 400 grams of fentanyl. If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit any assets that are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to court documents, from at least May 2020 through April 2022, Silfrain, Jean-Gilles, and Choisil conspired to manufacture and distribute fentanyl-laced pills throughout the Middle District of Florida. The pills were manufactured using multiple pill presses that were owned and operated by the defendants and could each produce 5,000 pills per hour.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is the result of a Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office investigation titled “Operation Pillgrim.” This operation specifically targets counterfeit pill production in an effort to reduce fentanyl and other dangerous pills from flooding communities in central and southern Florida. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov. Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).
Follow DEA Miami via Twitter at @DEAMIAMIDIV.
