Lorain Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

CLEVELAND  – Juan Torres Saez, 39, of Lorain, Ohio, was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, to more than 11 years in prison – or 135 months – by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after Saez pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl sent through the United States mail.

According to court documents, on Feb. 11, 2022, law enforcement authorities with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) obtained and executed search warrants for two packages suspected of containing narcotics.  Inside the packages, officers found approximately 2 kilograms – or more than 4 pounds – of fentanyl.

Court documents state that authorities with the USPIS, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Lorain County Drug Task Force, and the Lorain Police Department began an investigation into the origins and destination of the packages and determined that both were intended to be delivered to Saez at an address in Lorain. 

Saez was later arrested on Feb. 14, 2022.

Saez pleaded guilty in August 2022 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communication facility in the commission of a drug trafficking crime.

This case was investigated by the USPIS, DEA, Lorain County Drug Task Force, and the Lorain Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Kolansky.

This case was investigated as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers.