Career criminal gets 3.5 years for having fentanyl at airport

man with a long criminal history was given a light sentence by a federal judge despite being caught red-handed with dangerous drugs at the St. Thomas airport.

Tahir Donadelle, 43, of St. Thomas, will serve only 3.58 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U. S. Attorney Delia L. Smith said Monday.

Donadelle was sentenced on St. Thomas by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Molloy to 43 months incarceration, Smith said.

According to court documents, on September 8, 2022, Donadelle traveled from Atlanta, Georgia

to St. Thomas, and was randomly selected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a baggage

inspection upon arrival at the Cyril E. King Airport.