A federal grand jury has indicted Miguel Gonzalez Duarte, a 37-year-old Dominican national living unlawfully in Worcester, for distributing fentanyl pills. The indictment includes one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; two counts involving 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count involving 400 grams or more.
Gonzalez Duarte was arrested on October 29, 2025, following a criminal complaint and remains in federal custody. Charging documents state that on August 21, 2025, he distributed about 191 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and xylazine in a store parking lot on Main Street in Worcester. On September 3, he allegedly distributed approximately 482 similar pills at the same location. It is further alleged that on September 24, he distributed around 2,000 suspected fentanyl pills weighing about 226 grams at the same site.
On October 15, Gonzalez Duarte allegedly distributed roughly 20,000 suspected fentanyl pills in the parking lot of a Worcester restaurant. According to authorities, when law enforcement approached him after this transaction, he dropped the bag of pills and tried to flee before being apprehended.
At the time of these alleged offenses, Gonzalez Duarte was serving probation for an April 2025 conviction for possession with intent to distribute Class A and B drugs in Worcester District Court.
The charges carry significant penalties. Distribution or possession with intent to distribute fentanyl can result in up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and fines up to $1 million. Charges involving distribution or possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams carry sentences from five years up to forty years in prison as well as higher fines. Offenses involving over 400 grams could result in ten years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million. After serving any sentence imposed by the court under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing sentencing decisions, Gonzalez Duarte faces possible deportation.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” Jarod A. Forget from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division also announced the case alongside Foley. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan O’Shea and Kristen Noto are prosecuting.
