Yakima Man Gets 7.5 Years for Fentanyl Flood

EUGENE, Ore. – Jesus Paul Zazueta, 28, of Yakima, Washington, is headed to federal prison for 90 months, followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to flooding Oregon with deadly fentanyl. The sentence, handed down today, reflects the severity of the charge: trafficking a substance responsible for a surge in overdose deaths across the state.

The bust went down on October 4, 2021, in Deschutes County. Zazueta was a passenger in a vehicle wrecked on a rural highway. When Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Oregon State Police arrived on scene, they obtained consent to search the vehicle. What they found wasn’t accident debris, but a stash of poison: two bags crammed with approximately five pounds of fentanyl pills, alongside a loaded semi-automatic firearm.

Zazueta didn’t bother with denials. He confessed to trafficking the fentanyl, claiming ownership of both the drugs and the weapon. He admitted to personally packing the bag destined for Washington, expecting a payout for his role in the operation. He was looking to profit off addiction and death, plain and simple.

A federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment on July 20, 2023, charging Zazueta with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He finally pleaded guilty to the fentanyl charge on May 21, 2025, avoiding a potentially lengthier sentence that could have included the firearm charge.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Delph, successfully argued for the substantial prison term, highlighting the devastating impact of fentanyl on Oregon communities. The drug, 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine, requires only a minuscule amount – a few grains – to prove fatal. The availability of illicit fentanyl has directly correlated with a dramatic spike in overdose deaths statewide.

This investigation was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. While this conviction represents a win for law enforcement, the fight against fentanyl is far from over. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.