LOS ANGELES
A Riverside County man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Tuesday for selling fentanyl to a 33-year-old man who overdosed and died after ingesting the deadly synthetic drug.
Sergio Maya, 33, of Lake Elsinore, received a sentence from United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who also required him to pay $19,848 in restitution.
Maya pleaded guilty on February 12 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The 20-year prison sentence is the maximum possible penalty under federal law.
In the early morning of May 26, 2022, Maya met the victim—identified in court documents as “C.A.”—near the victim’s Lake Elsinore apartment and gave fentanyl to the victim.
Later that day, the victim used fentanyl and suffered a fatal overdose.
“The recklessness of this defendant resulted in the victim’s untimely death and his loved ones in mourning,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s 20-year prison sentence sends a message to drug dealers who kill their customers that my Office will seek and obtain the stiffest penalties under the law.”
“We are deeply appreciative of our ongoing partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in combating perpetrators who distribute deadly fentanyl within our community,” said Riverside County District Attorney Michael A. Hestrin.
“The sentencing of this defendant reinforces the steadfast commitment of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to holding individuals accountable for the distribution of illegal drugs poisoning our nation,” said Matthew Allen, DEA Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles Field Division.
The DEA and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen T. Merrill of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted this case.