Palm Beach County Career Offender Sentenced to More than Twelve Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

MIAMI – On September 22, 2023, career offender Monfort Desir, 36, of Lake Worth, Florida was sentenced by United States District Judge Aileen M. Cannon to 151 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to the court record, the investigation of Desir began when law enforcement searched a decedent’s phone relating to an overdose death and identified a phone number related to narcotic sales.  Thereafter, an undercover law enforcement officer contacted Desir and requested fentanyl. 

On February 23, 2022, Desir distributed fentanyl capsules to the undercover officer.  Xylazine and para-fluorofentanyl were also identified in the fentanyl capsules that Desir distributed.  Para-fluorofentanyl is a fentanyl analogue.  Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative that is not approved for human use and can cause amputation of the limbs.  Narcan is ineffective in the event of an overdose on xylazine. 

Desir continued to distribute fentanyl capsules to the undercover officer on five separate occasions.  Xylazine and para-fluorofentanyl continued to be identified in the fentanyl capsules.  

Prior to his commission of the offenses, Desir had two prior, separate felony convictions for the sale of cocaine.  Desir was therefore subject to being sentenced as a career offender under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) made the announcement.

Mr. Lapointe praised the investigative efforts of DEA and PBSO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-80050.

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