Raphael Ortiz, Fentanyl and Firearm Offenses, Ohio 2022

State: Ohio
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/youngstown-man-sentenced-more-13-years-prison-drug-and-firearm-offense" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Raphael Ortiz, a 40-year-old resident of Youngstown, Ohio, has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for his involvement in fentanyl trafficking and firearm offenses.

On Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson handed down the sentence to Ortiz after he pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl, possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers from the FBI, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force (MVVCTF), and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force (MVLETF) executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s Youngstown-area residence in January 2021.

During the execution of the warrant, investigators obtained a semi-automatic pistol and approximately $26,000 in cash. Authorities also executed search warrants at two additional residences known to be used for the distribution and storage of narcotics by Ortiz, where they discovered approximately 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl, two semi-automatic pistols, a shotgun, and two semi-automatic rifles.

Ortiz is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2008 conviction for drug trafficking and 2004 convictions for possession of heroin and assault on a peace officer.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.

Raphael Ortiz, a Youngstown resident, was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months in prison for his involvement in fentanyl trafficking and firearm offenses. The crimes were committed in Youngstown, Ohio. Ortiz will serve his sentence in a federal prison. The investigation and prosecution were conducted by federal and local law enforcement agencies. Ortiz’s sentence began after he pleaded guilty to the charges.

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