Anchorage man sentenced for fentanyl trafficking

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Sergio Jauna Devoe, 28, of Anchorage, was sentenced on Nov. 14, 2018, by U.S District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to 10 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release for trafficking quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine intended for distribution. 

According to court documents, on May 24, 2017, Anchorage Police Department's Community Action Policing and Vice Units arranged to purchase heroin from Devoe at the Northway Mall, in front of the Carrs grocery store. During negotiations, Devoe agreed to sell two ounces of heroin for $1,850 each. Later that day, agents and officers identified a Lexus sedan occupied by Devoe and a passenger arrive in the parking lot, where they were both detained. Devoe was found to have a rolled up $5 bill containing .75 grams of cocaine, which fell from his hand. During the contact, officers observed in plain view,a firearm inside the vehicle. Devoe stated he was borrowing his girlfriend's car and denied knowledge of the firearm. He told officers he had $1,000 in his pocket but was no longer involved with drugs.

Located inside the vehicle was a stolen and loaded Smith & Wesson handgun, along with a lock box containing 51.5 grams of methamphetamine and 25.27 grams of fentanyl, which was marketed as heroin. Fentanyl, sometimes known on the street as “Grey Death,” is a powerful opioid that is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Law enforcement officers also seized two cell phones, two digital scales, and 8.8 grams of marijuana.

The Anchorage Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Stinson.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods