Client was charged in federal court with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846—a serious felony with a guideline range of 24 to 30 months in custody. The government insisted he was a drug dealer. We convinced the court this was a one-time mistake. The judge imposed no prison time.

Client was arrested after connecting a co-defendant with a buyer for fentanyl pills. The government argued he played an average role in a larger drug conspiracy and pushed for prison. But our investigation showed this was a single lapse in judgment, driven by financial strain during his partner’s pregnancy.

We presented extensive mitigation, demonstrated that he had no criminal history, and proved that he was not a drug trafficker. The court agreed. Despite the seriousness of the offense and the recommended sentence, the judge imposed probation with no time in custody.