Two men in the Dallas area have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to the death of a 17-year-old boy, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson announced on September 29, 2025.
Sentences:
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Tecose Dchaz Martin, 38, of Mesquite, Texas, received 360 months (30 years) in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that caused the teen’s death. Martin pled guilty in July 2025.
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Connor Miller, 22, of Richardson, Texas, was sentenced to 151 months (nearly 13 years) after pleading guilty in May 2025 to aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl.
Both sentences were handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey.
Case Background:
On January 30, 2024, Miller purchased four fentanyl pills from Jesse Medina, a dealer known as “Plug.” Miller and the 17-year-old boy then consumed the pills at Miller’s residence. The teen died shortly afterward. Investigators were able to trace the pills back to Martin, who admitted to purchasing fentanyl in bulk (1,000 pills at a time) for resale. He sold smaller quantities to lower-level dealers like Medina, stating he preferred selling in larger amounts because it increased the chance of buyers overdosing. Martin also admitted to knowing the dangers of his actions.
At the time of his arrest, Martin was found with:
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88 fentanyl pills on his person
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805 fentanyl pills at his apartment
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Two firearms
Martin had a long criminal history, including multiple prior drug-related felony convictions, and was on parole at the time he sold fentanyl to Medina and others. His criminal record includes a 2017 state conviction for manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, for which he received 25 years.
Law Enforcement Statements:
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Larson said the sentences “are one step in our continuing fight against the deadly consequences of fentanyl trafficking” and praised law enforcement for bringing the defendants to justice.
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Joseph B. Tucker, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division, called fentanyl “the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered” and said the sentences send a clear message that trafficking will not be tolerated.
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Richardson Police First Assistant Chief Michael Bussiere said, “While no sentence can undo the heartbreak suffered by the victim’s family, we hope this outcome provides some measure of accountability and peace.”
Investigation:
The case was investigated by the DEA’s Dallas Field Division, Richardson Police Department, Hickory Creek Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Mesquite Police Department, and the IRS Criminal Investigations Section, with assistance from the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal.
