Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Role in Fentanyl Importation Conspiracy

Strategic Insights -

Francisco Villa-Garcia, a 68-year-old Mexican national and resident of the United States, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in importing over 8 kilograms of fentanyl from Mexico to South Carolina. Villa-Garcia had previously been deported to Mexico in 2019 after serving 15 years in federal prison on a prior drug trafficking conviction in California.

Villa-Garcia, who had illegally re-entered the United States in or around 2022, ordered two shipments of what was supposed to be heroin but contained fentanyl. The drugs, valued at $45,000 per kilogram, were intended for further distribution in Kingstree. However, investigators set up a sting operation and caught the conspirators in the process of receiving the second shipment. Villa-Garcia has prior convictions dating back to 1984, including possession of cocaine, illegal reentry, driving under the influence, and sale of methamphetamine.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. Villa-Garcia will be deported to Mexico upon serving his sentence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Francisco Villa-Garcia, a 68-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for his role in importing over 8 kilograms of fentanyl from Mexico to South Carolina.
  • Villa-Garcia had previously been deported to Mexico in 2019 after serving 15 years in federal prison on a prior drug trafficking conviction in California.
  • He illegally re-entered the United States in or around 2022 and ordered two shipments of fentanyl, valued at $45,000 per kilogram.
  • Villa-Garcia has prior convictions dating back to 1984, including possession of cocaine, illegal reentry, driving under the influence, hit and run causing injury, extortion, and sale of methamphetamine.
  • Co-defendants Eriberto Navarro Lopez and Marone Lawatis Nesmith also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
  • The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime.
  • The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office in close coordination.

Statistics:

  • Over 8 kilograms of fentanyl were imported into South Carolina as part of the conspiracy.
  • The drugs were valued at $45,000 per kilogram.
  • Villa-Garcia had prior convictions dating back to 1984.
  • He had previously served 15 years in federal prison on a prior drug trafficking conviction in California.
  • The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative.

Sources:

  • United States Attorneys General
  • Mil-OSI Publisher Source: United States Attorneys General 7 FLORENCE, S.C. -- Francisco Villa-Garcia, also known as Francisco Villa-Dominguez, Andres Busto, and Jesus Pineda Dominguez, 68, a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in the importation of more than 8 kilograms of fentanyl from Mexico to South Carolina.