An Annandale resident, Marcantonio Juarez Velasquez, 20, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Court records show that on June 20, 2024, law enforcement officers saw Juarez Velasquez engaged in a hand-to-hand drug transaction in Fairfax County. Authorities then obtained an arrest warrant. On August 2, 2024, officers arrested Juarez Velasquez. At the time of his arrest, he had a handgun, an extended magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition, $949.83 in cash, and 258 fentanyl pills.
While awaiting trial in detention, Juarez Velasquez instructed a minor to hide fentanyl pills, a firearm, and cash at his family’s home. On August 6, 2024, police searched the residence and found 9,220 fentanyl pills, $2,344 in cash, a handgun with two magazines of ammunition as well as identification and debit cards belonging to Juarez Velasquez.
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Kevin Davis from the Fairfax County Police announced the sentence after it was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel K. Amzallag and Ronald L. Walutes Jr. prosecuted the case.
“A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-163.”
