Woodbridge Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced After Bust With Hundreds Of Pills

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A fentanyl dealer in Woodbridge caught trying to distribute to undercover cops was sentenced to prison time last Wednesday.

Jaborn Clinton Maldonado, 21, of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm while possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. A judge sentenced Maldonado on Wednesday to 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended upon release with completion of supervised probation, according to the Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Maldonado had been arrested on April 27, 2023 during a sale of a large amount of pressed fentanyl pills to undercover law enforcement with Prince William County detectives, U.S. Marshal's Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. According to prosecutors, Maldonado told law enforcement he was armed while being taken into custody. An officer found a loaded 9mm gun and Wesson pistol inside his compression shorts as well as 200 pressed fentanyl pills. After the pills were sent for testing, authorities confirmed they contained fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that has contributed to a trend of opioid overdoses in the U.S.

"Fentanyl poses a great danger to the community because of how quickly it can kill," said Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth. "We take cases involving the distribution of such drugs very seriously and will continue to seek convictions and active prison sentences for those involved in the distribution of illegal substances."

During a search of Maldonado's home, authorities found items tied to the distribution scheme, including a digital scale, money, gun accessories, pistol ammunition and an additional phone. An associate of Maldonado told police the defendant sells narcotics and that "once you're in the drug dealing lifestyle, you basically can't get out." Authorities carried out search warrants at Maldonado's home and residences of co-conspirators associated with the investigation.