Leonardo Daniel Martinez, 32, from Pasco, Washington, has been sentenced to over ten years in prison for fentanyl trafficking, according to Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian ruled Martinez would serve 125 months and five years of supervised release following the sentence.
The circumstances leading to Martinez's sentencing began on May 20, 2022, when Richland Police Department (RPD) officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving him. Despite directives from the officers, Martinez refused to leave and attempted to assault one of them, leading to his arrest. During a pat-down, officers discovered a 9mm handgun on his person. Due to a past domestic violence conviction, Martinez was prohibited from gun possession.
Further inquiry into Martinez's dark blue BMW revealed another firearm, 10,179 fentanyl pills, $72,354 in cash, a small quantity of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and three cell phones.
Acting U.S. Attorney Barker commented, "Domestic violence is a significant source of firearm-related crime in Eastern Washington and in the Tri-Cities area. Domestic violence offenders are far more likely to engage in intimate partner violence as well as violence directed at law enforcement officers responding to emergency calls.” He added, “I am grateful for the dedication of the DEA and Richland Police Department for their diligent work in removing large volumes of dangerous fentanyl from our communities."
David F. Reames, DEA Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge, highlighted the severity of Martinez's actions, saying, "Mr. Martinez disregarded the safety of those around him by engaging in domestic violence, attempting to assault a police officer, carrying a handgun, and possessing enough fentanyl to potentially kill almost 6,000 people." Reames expressed satisfaction that the collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Richland Police Department led to Martinez's imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Van Marter and Brandon L. Pang prosecuted the case, supported by investigations from the DEA and the RPD.