Jason Felipe Gutierrez-Sandoval, a 29-year-old Tucson resident and local restaurant owner, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash after Gutierrez-Sandoval pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, as well as possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
According to court documents, in 2023 Gutierrez-Sandoval delivered more than 4,600 fentanyl pills—totaling about 454.4 grams—to another individual on behalf of a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico. Following his arrest and the execution of a search warrant at his home, authorities found twelve small baggies containing approximately 10.35 grams of Lavada (a pinkish-colored form of cocaine), over $660 in cash, and a safe containing multiple firearms, ammunition, magazines, and half a kilogram of heroin. Some firearms were loaded; one magazine was identified as a fully loaded circular .22 caliber drum with a 70-round capacity. Gutierrez-Sandoval is legally barred from possessing firearms.
As part of the sentencing, Gutierrez-Sandoval must pay $2,500—a sum equal to what he received during the fentanyl transaction in 2023—and all seized firearms and related items have been forfeited.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff’s Department through their participation in the Counter Narcotics Alliance and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force in Tucson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano prosecuted the case.
“
