Two Teens Charged After Being Named The “Top Source” In Carrollton Juvenile Overdoses

18-year-old Julio Gonzales Jr., and his roommate, 19-year-old Adrian Martinez-Leon are facing federal charges after authorities have identified them as the “top source,” for distributing fentanyl in North Texas. They have been connected to at least 14 overdoses of minors, including three that were deadly.

On Thursday, the two were apprehended  and charged through a criminal complaint dealing with drug conspiracy.

A 16-year-old drug dealer who provided a 14-year-old girl with fentanyl pills in December 2022 is said to have named Gonzales as his supplier.

Text messages showed the teen talked about about “J-Money” to Eduardo Navarrette. He was one of the first dealers to face charges in the operation. They identified J-Money as their “plug,” a term used for a supplier.

At least four other people named J-Money as the source of the drugs and connected him to an address in Oak Cliff.

Three people identified Gonzales as J-Money when shown pictures of him, as well. Instagram messages between Gonzales and the defendants backed up the claims.

Documents show that in June, agents were surveilling Gonzales as he was executing a hand-to-hand drug transaction. This was with someone who then hid in an alley that was close by, smashed the pills, and smoked them. Records also show that the roommate, Martinez-Leon supposedly conducting a hand-to-hand transaction with someone outside of their front door.

When a search of their residence was done, DEA agents discovered thousands of fentanyl-laced M-30 pills inside of a microwave. Also found was almost a kilogram of cocaine, money stashed in a closet, multiple guns, including a pistol with an unlawful Glock switch.

Gonzales and Martinez-Leon are the ninth and tenth person that have been charged in connection to the Carrollton overdoses. This is where four middle and high school students died.

As of now, five people have pleaded guilty.

If Gonzales and Martinez-Leon are found guilty, they could be sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.