Esmun Moyses Moral-Raudales, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2023

Tenderloin Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Esmun Moyses Moral-Raudales, a 28-year-old citizen of Honduras, was sentenced yesterday to 80 months in prison for his role in distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Tenderloin. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Moral-Raudales pleaded guilty in October 2023 to two counts of distributing methamphetamine and one count of distributing fentanyl, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(vi).

During two drug deals in the Tenderloin in January and February 2023, Moral-Raudales sold a total of 103.8 grams (gross weight) of fentanyl and 95 grams (gross weight) of methamphetamine, according to his plea agreement. At the time of his arrest in Oakland in March 2023, he had 317.7 grams (gross weight) of fentanyl on his person and in his car, and a loaded, privately manufactured, semi-automatic handgun (a ‘ghost gun’) in his backpack.

Moral-Raudales was on federal supervised release following a 2020 drug trafficking conviction at the time he committed the offenses for which he was sentenced yesterday. ‘Recidivist drug dealers who prey on the Tenderloin are a clear and present danger to our community, especially those who arm themselves with guns,’ said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. ‘This Office will marshal all resources needed to ensure that repeat players in the Tenderloin drug market face justice.’

‘Moral-Raudales was given the opportunity to change his life after his first federal drug trafficking conviction. Instead, he recklessly chose to endanger our community by selling poison in the Tenderloin while arming himself with a weapon,’ said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark. ‘DEA will be relentless in our pursuit of those who repeatedly and brazenly violate the law.’

In addition to sentencing Moral-Raudales to prison, Judge James Donato ordered the defendant to serve four years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Erick Machado.

The prosecution is the result of a months-long investigation by the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department. As the DEA warns, ‘One Pill Can Kill: Beware of pills bought on the street. Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is a highly potent opiate that can be diluted with cutting agents to create counterfeit pills that purport to mimic the effects of Oxycodone, Percocet, and other drugs, but can be obtained at a lower cost.’

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