A Yakima, Washington man has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl. Jesus Paul Zazueta, 28, received the sentence after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Court documents show that on October 4, 2021, Zazueta was a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident in Deschutes County, Oregon. Officers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the scene and obtained consent to search the vehicle. During their search, officers found two bags in the trunk containing about five pounds of fentanyl pills and a semi-automatic firearm.
When questioned by law enforcement, Zazueta admitted he was trafficking the fentanyl and that he owned the firearm. He also acknowledged packing the bag containing both items and said he expected payment for transporting the fentanyl to Washington.
A federal grand jury indicted Zazueta on July 20, 2023, charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He pleaded guilty on May 21, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Adam Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
According to authorities, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is much more potent than morphine or heroin. Its presence has led to a sharp increase in overdose deaths across Oregon (https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html).
Those seeking help with addiction can contact Lines for Life at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org for support available around the clock.
