A 28-year-old Washington man has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for drug trafficking.
Jesus Paul Zazueta, of Yakima Was Sentenced on Wednesday for Dealing Fentanyl
In addition to his 90-month prison sentence, Zazueta was sentenced to four years of supervised release. According to court records:
On October 4, 2021, Zazueta was a passenger in a car accident in Deschutes County, Oregon. Officers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police arrived to the accident and were granted permission to search the vehicle.
The officers discovered two bags in the trunk that contained roughly five pounds of fentanyl tablets and a semi-automatic pistol.
After an investigation, it was discovered that Zazueta had packed the drug bag and firearm.
Zazueta admitted to possessing the handgun and trafficking in fentanyl pills. He told law police that he intended to be compensated for trafficking the tablets to Washington.
On July 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Zazueta with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Zazueta pleaded guilty in May 2025 to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is more powerful than other opioids. A small amount can lead to a lethal overdose.
Although it is approved as a prescription pain medicine, most of the fentanyl contributing to the current overdose crisis is made illegally.
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