Luis Fernando Huerta Ayon, 27, Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced that Luis Fernando Huerta Ayon, a Mexican national illegally present in the United States, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for trafficking kilogram quantities of fentanyl and heroin. Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of HSI in North Carolina and South Carolina, joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

According to filed documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in early December 2024, law enforcement began an investigation into Huerta for suspected fentanyl trafficking. Investigators conducted at least two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Huerta, tracked his vehicle, and surveilled the defendant. After building their investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Huerta’s residence in Charlotte.

Investigators’ extensive efforts led to the seizure of over a kilogram of fentanyl, over a hundred grams of deadly fentanyl analogue, and nearly a kilogram of heroin. Additionally, inside Huerta’s residence, agents found a drug ledger, a digital scale, bulk cash, a vacuum sealing machine, and multiple cellular phones. Some of the fentanyl recovered was already packaged for street-level sales.

On November 20, 2025, Huerta pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending placement at a federal facility by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked HSI for their investigation of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. ‘Eliminating fentanyl is a top priority of my office,’ said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. ‘Fentanyl is a poison that has taken too many lives, and we are working hard to put a stop to it.’

This sentence was handed down by the Honorable Robert J. Conrad Jr., United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. After serving his prison sentence, Huerta will be removed from the United States.

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