Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A criminal complaint unsealed on Mar. 13 charges Juan Lopez Olvera, a 25-year-old Mexican national, with possessing fentanyl intended for distribution and unlawful reentry after deportation in Tulsa.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address drug trafficking and illegal immigration. According to the complaint, Lopez Olvera was stopped by police in January for a traffic violation. Officers reported smelling marijuana and, after searching the vehicle, found a large bag containing a white powdery substance later identified as fentanyl. During booking, authorities discovered that Lopez Olvera had been deported in February 2024 and had not lawfully returned to the United States.
Lopez Olvera faces charges of Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute and Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Niko Boulieris is prosecuting the case.
Officials remind the public that "a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, described as "a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
