Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.

NEWARK, N.J. — A Paterson man admitted in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and possessing the drug with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Habba announced Tuesday.

Angelo Restituyo-Garcia, 34, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to two counts: conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute the same amount, both federal offenses under Title 21.

Federal prosecutors said Restituyo-Garcia worked with others between March and May 2020 to traffic fentanyl. On May 1, 2020, he delivered nearly 500 pills of compressed fentanyl weighing over 50 grams in exchange for $2,750.

Both charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum potential penalty of 40 years and a $5 million fine.

Sentencing set for October

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1 before Judge Hayden in Newark federal court.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Newark Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Camelia Valdes.

Officials did not release information about any co-conspirators or additional charges stemming from the case.

Restituyo-Garcia admitted to delivering over 50 grams of fentanyl as part of a trafficking scheme disrupted by federal agents.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.