Two Drug Traffickers Charged After Ramming DEA Vehicles and Leading a High Speed Chase in Fresno County
FRESNO, Calif. — Two Los Angeles County residents were charged Monday for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy and an assault on federal law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Kevin Guzman and Julian Alcantara-Aguirre, both 23, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Alcantara-Aguirre was also charged with assault on a federal officer.
According to court documents, on Jan. 22, 2026, Guzman and Alcantara-Aguirre traveled from Los Angeles County to Fresno to carry out a planned sale of 5 kilograms of fentanyl. When they spotted law enforcement officers in the area, Guzman and Alcantara-Aguirre fled in their black Toyota Matrix.
As Alcantara‑Aguirre attempted to escape, he rammed the Toyota Matrix into multiple government vehicles occupied by DEA agents. Guzman and Alcantara‑Aguirre then led agents on a high‑speed pursuit along State Routes 99 and 180 before coming to a stop and fleeing on foot. Both men were apprehended shortly after a coordinated law enforcement response. During the pursuit, officers recovered approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl that had been thrown from the Toyota Matrix.
“Fentanyl is a poison in this District and throughout the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “In coordination with DEA and our local and state law enforcement partners, this Office will vigorously prosecute those who traffic in that poison. And we will not tolerate violent assaults on federal officers who steadfastly enforce our drug laws.”
“The men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration are dedicated to saving lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris of the DEA San Francisco Field Division. “As part of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America Campaign, this operation targeted large scale fentanyl dealers, peddling poison in our communities. There is no doubt this seizure saved lives. We are thankful for our law enforcement partners that worked with us on this operation.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Fresno Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chan Hee Chu is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the defendants face a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. If convicted of assault on a federal officer, Alcantara-Aguirre faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
