Arkansas man found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Arkansas man was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl on Thursday, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Arkansas.

The release said Claude Dukes, Jr., age 42, of Newport, was identified as the source of supply for fentanyl after the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl from May to June 2023.

Dukes and co-conspirator Justin Ellis, 36, of Fayetteville, were accused of distributing fentanyl pressed or made to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.

Dukes was found responsible for more than 400 grams of fentanyl distributed, the release said. He is set to be sentenced at a later date.

WDAR said conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl is punishable by at least 10 years of prison time and a maximum of life.

Ellis pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl in February and is awaiting sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Bentonville Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections, Newport Police Department and the FBI assisted.

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