A Mexican citizen residing in Arvada, Colorado, has been sentenced for distributing cocaine. Francisco Javier Miranda-Rodriguez, 39, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, received a sentence of 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl handed down the sentence on February 3. Upon completion of his prison term, Miranda-Rodriguez will be deported.
Court documents indicate that in March 2025, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that Miranda-Rodriguez was seeking buyers for cocaine. Undercover agents arranged controlled purchases in Cheyenne on March 13 and April 3, acquiring two ounces and approximately three ounces respectively. A third transaction took place in Timnath, Colorado on May 6 for nine ounces of cocaine. During this meeting, agents discussed buying a kilogram; Miranda-Rodriguez said he could supply it at $1,000 per ounce. Communication between the undercover agent and Miranda-Rodriguez ended as they tried to arrange delivery.
Miranda-Rodriguez was arrested during a traffic stop on June 18, 2025. That same day, law enforcement searched his apartment and found 92 grams of cocaine. He admitted to making monthly trips to Douglas and Casper to deliver drugs over a five-month period.
“This sentence sends a clear message: drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our communities. This defendant came to the United States, distributed dangerous drugs across state lines, and fueled addiction and crime. Thanks to strong law enforcement work, he will serve time in federal prison and be removed from the country. We will continue to prioritize border security, aggressive drug enforcement, and the removal of criminal aliens who threaten public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith.
The DEA investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted it.
Case No. CR-25-00128
