Christian Gonzalez, a 25-year-old resident of Fresno, has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for distributing fentanyl. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on July 20, 2020, Gonzalez distributed ten fentanyl pills to an individual in Fresno. One of these pills was then given to a victim who overdosed and died after consumption. Subsequently, an undercover officer ordered fentanyl pills from Gonzalez, leading to his arrest during a meeting in a parking lot.
The investigation was conducted by the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team. This team is composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an initiative aimed at reducing synthetic opioid supply in critical areas while identifying distribution networks and suppliers both domestically and internationally. The Justice Department launched S.O.S. in July 2018 across several federal districts including the Eastern District of California.