High-Volume Fentanyl, Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison Following Adams County Convictions

Brighton, CO – The District Attorney’s Office announced today that Ivan Rodriguez, 32, has been sentenced to 30 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections following multiple convictions for high-volume drug trafficking in Adams County. The sentencing marks the culmination of a years-long investigation by the North Metro Task Force into Rodriguez’s large-scale distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous narcotics across the region. 

Case Overview 

2022CR3353:  
Rodriguez was arrested on November 2, 2022, following a coordinated operation by the Thornton Police Department involving SWAT and surveillance teams. After tracking him from a hotel to a nearby store, officers executed a search warrant and recovered a large stash of illegal drugs including 147.94 grams of methamphetamine, 112.44 grams of counterfeit Oxycodone (fentanyl), 1.39 grams of Ketamine, and 13.77 grams of counterfeit Xanax. Rodriguez was wearing a shirt that read “drug dealer” at the time of the offense. The defendant posted bond on November 8, 2022, he failed to appear in court on January 17, 2023, was re-arrested, and posted bond again on May 15, 2023.  

2023CR2911:  
In 2023, during an extensive narcotics investigation dubbed "Dress for Less," North Metro Task Force detectives intercepted court-authorized wiretap communications revealing Rodriguez's role in a drug trafficking operation with ties to a Mexican drug cartel. Rodriguez, while out on bond, was observed conducting a drug transaction and then led Thornton Police on a high-speed chase, during which he discarded a backpack, which was later recovered from a dumpster. The bag contained 1.68 kilograms of fentanyl, 2.56 kilograms of methamphetamine, a firearm, nearly $3,000 in cash, and multiple cell phones. The indictment in this case was filed on September 25, 2023, and an arrest warrant was issued.  

2024CR808:  
On December 10, 2023, Rodriguez was located during a surveillance operation. Detectives immobilized Rodriguez’s vehicle as he returned to a parking lot in a black Audi sedan. He attempted to flee again but was caught. Rodriguez admitted to possessing narcotics in the car. A search revealed nearly three pounds of methamphetamine and 21 grams of counterfeit fentanyl pills. 

Sentencing:  
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to multiple charges of Drug Felony 1 (DF1) Possession with Intent to Distribute. In February 2025, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the 2023CR2911 case. On April 29, 2025, he received an additional 16 years for the 2022CR3353 and 2024CR808 cases, to be served concurrently with each other but consecutively to the first sentence—for a total of 30 years in prison. 

“This defendant was a major source of deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine in our community and acted with utter disregard for the lives destroyed by these drugs,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “Thirty years in prison is an appropriate and necessary consequence for these crimes. I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation into these cases. The District Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of high-level traffickers like Mr. Rodriguez who profit from addiction and death.” 

Senior Lead Deputy District Attorney Joseph H. Vandeven and Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Freeman of the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Drug Trafficking Unit prosecuted the cases. 
 

(Items Recovered from Ivan Rodriguez) 

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