Illegal Alien Sentenced for Role in Trafficking Almost 2 Kilograms of Heroin

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An illegal alien has been sentenced on heroin-trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

U.S. District Judge Annemarie C. Axon sentenced Jovani Correa-Gutierrez, 40, to 46 months in federal prison. In May 2025, Correa-Gutierezz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to the plea agreement, on April 13, 2021, Correa-Gutierrez and a co-conspirator worked to distribute almost 2 kilograms of heroin to a confidential source. Upon their arrival business in Bessemer, Alabama, Correa-Guiterrez and his co-defendant were taken into custody, and the heroin was seized by law enforcement. Correa-Guiterrez is a Mexican national and was illegally present in the United States at the time of his arrest.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Garnett prosecuted the case.