Fentanyl Sales and Sex Trafficking: Combined 80-Year Sentence for Two Texas Men

Two men in Texas have been sentenced to a combined 80 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to distributing fentanyl, sex trafficking, and others.

600-Month Prison Sentence

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 52-year-old Jamal Howard received a 600-month (50 years) prison sentence on January 30, 2026. His list of charges include the following:

• Sex Trafficking through Force, Fraud, and Coercion
• Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
• Distributing Fentanyl to a Person Under 21
• Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments

Additionally, 27-year-old Renaldo Rojas was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Distributing Fentanyl to a person under 21. 

Both men pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2025. 

Selling Fentanyl Pills and Trafficking Minors

In late July 2024, an underage female reported to the Arlington Police Department that she had escaped a human trafficking ring. 

According to the DOJ, Rojas had provided fentanyl to the girl. He then sent photos of the minor to Howard for trafficking purposes in exchange for fentanyl. The deal was accepted, and the girl was taken by Howard to his apartment. 

This was where Howard continued to photograph the minor and advertise her for commercial sex transactions. The girl was trafficked several times from July throughout August, all the while Howard was supplying fentanyl to Rojas. 

Messages found on Howard's cell phone revealed that he sent over 5,000 fentanyl pills to Rojas during this time. 

Two other individuals were sentenced for their involvement in Howard's trafficking ring who also pleaded guilty in October 2025.