An Arizona restaurant owner was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking and other offenses, authorities reported on Tuesday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona reports that Jason Felipe Gutierrez-Sandoval, 29, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, as well as possession of firearms by a banned person.
Gutierrez-Sandoval, the owner and operator of a Tucson restaurant, was arrested in 2023 for providing over 4,600 fentanyl tablets to an agent of a Mexican drug trafficking organization, according to authorities.
Investigators executed a search order at his residence and discovered 10.35 grams of a pinkish-colored type of cocaine known as “lavada” in 12 little baggies, as well as half a kilogram of heroin.
They also seized several guns, some of which were loaded, along with ammo and magazines. Gutierrez-Sandoval is forbidden from possessing guns, according to prosecutors.
Details of Arizona restaurant owner’s sentencing
Last Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced Gutierrez-Sandoval to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Gutierrez-Sandoval was also forced to pay a $2,500 judgment, which represents the cash he received for the 2023 fentanyl deal.
The investigation was conducted by federal and local officials, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Tucson Police Department, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano prosecuted the case.
