E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A father and son from Westside Los Angeles were apprehended on federal charges related to fentanyl trafficking and illegal firearm sales. Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, known as "El Gato," and his son Francisco Javier Espinoza Galindo, 31, face allegations of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Antonio Espinoza also faces a charge for illegal reentry after deportation.
According to court affidavits, in July 2023, Antonio sold a pistol, a rifle, ammunition, and over 500 grams of fentanyl pills without a firearms dealing license. In August 2023, he allegedly sold an AR-style rifle and about one kilogram of fentanyl pills supplied by Francisco. Further sales involving firearms and narcotics occurred in January and February 2025.
Antonio Espinoza is a Mexican citizen previously deported multiple times since 2010. His criminal history includes convictions for narcotics possession in Los Angeles Superior Court (2008) and illegal reentry in U.S. District Court for Arizona (2015).
The investigation was conducted by the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with contributions from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California’s Criminal Investigative Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Diane B. Roldán is prosecuting these cases.
Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted on all charges, both men face up to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of ten years.
