Fresno Man Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl That Caused Overdose Death
FRESNO, Calif. — Christian Gonzalez, 25, of Fresno, was sentenced today to six years and eight months in prison for distributing fentanyl, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris and Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, on July 20, 2020, Gonzalez knowingly distributed 10 fentanyl pills to a person in Fresno, who then distributed one of those pills to a victim who took the pill, overdosed, and died. About a month later, an undercover law enforcement officer, posing as a drug-buying customer, ordered fentanyl pills from Gonzalez and met him in a parking lot for the purchase. Gonzalez brought fentanyl pills to the meeting and was arrested. On July 29, 2024, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team, a multi‑agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
