Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 12 years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution

PHOENIX, Ariz. – An illegal alien with previous state convictions for drug trafficking was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Faustino Soto-Martinez, 54, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced on May 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Lanham. According to court documents and information discussed at sentencing, on March 11, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona, Soto-Martinez possessed and intended to sell 40,000 fentanyl pills, approximately 4.2 kilograms of fentanyl, to an undercover agent. “Soto-Martinez’s 12-year sentence reflects his repeated disregard for the law and the devastating effects that fentanyl inflicts on individuals, families and communities across America,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in partnership with the DEA and local law enforcement agencies will continue to fight for Arizonans and dismantle the organizations that distribute these deadly drugs into our communities.” At sentencing, Soto-Martinez’s criminal history was taken into consideration, including multiple state drug trafficking convictions. In 2005, he was convicted in three separate state drug trafficking cases and sentenced to five years in prison for each, which he served concurrently. Shortly after he was released, he was again convicted for possession of methamphetamine for sale and sentenced to 10 years in prison.