United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TACOMA, Wash.– A 36-year-old citizen of Mexico was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine while armed with a handgun, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.  Erick Guerrero-Acosta was arrested November 22, 2022, with 14 kilos of fentanyl powder and pills and seven kilos of methamphetamine.  At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle cited the “grave” consequences of the opioid epidemic including an estimated 70,000 overdose deaths that have been attributed to fentanyl nationwide.

“At the very time Mr. Guerrero-Acosta was bringing fentanyl pills to Western Washington, more than one person each day was dying of a fentanyl overdose in King County alone,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Between January 1, 2022, and October 15, 2022, 70% of 710 overdose deaths were attributable to fentanyl. Based on these percentages, pills just like the ones seized from Guerrero-Acosta killed approximately 490 people, leaving only heartache for families and loved ones.”

According to records filed in the case, Guerrero-Acosta was identified by investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a significant supplier of fentanyl and methamphetamine.  After conducting some controlled buys of drugs, agents moved in to arrest Guerrero-Acosta.  In his vehicle they seized 14 kilos (approximately 30 pounds) of fentanyl in pill and powder form, seven kilos (15 pounds) of methamphetamine, more than $25,000 in cash and a firearm in the center console of the vehicle.

In asking for a 12-year prison sentence Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner wrote to the court, “the danger created by defendant’s drug dealing was exacerbated by his unlawful possession of a firearm. The combination of drug trafficking and firearms oftentimes proves lethal, and defendant’s ready access to the firearm in the center console compartment of his car demonstrated his knowledge of the dangerous nature of the drug trade and his willingness to engage in it.”

Guerrero-Acosta has prior convictions for drug trafficking in Arizona in 2007 and 2011. He has a conviction from 2015 for illegally returning to the U.S. following deportation.

The case was investigated by the DEA. 

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