Renton man gets 10 years in prison in drug trafficking case
Nov 26, 2022, 11:13 AM
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
A federal judge has sentenced a Renton, Washington man to 10 years in prison for his role in a violent drug distribution ring, according to the U.S. Attorney鈥檚 Office in Seattle.
Benjamin Fuentes was indicted in July 2020 with a dozen co-conspirators after an extensive wire-tap investigation into drug trafficking and firearms sales in the region, U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said Wednesday in a press release.
鈥淗e and his coconspirators distributed massive amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and potentially deadly fentanyl pills in King, Pierce, Lewis, and Snohomish Counties,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭his sentence removes him from the community he damaged with his violent drug trade.鈥�
When agents moved in for the arrests, they found drugs, four firearms, ballistic vests and $28,000 in cash in the home Fuentes shared with a drug trafficking leader, Brown said.
鈥淭his organization is one of the most violent our district has prosecuted,鈥� Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Jaquette told the judge before sentencing. 鈥淕iven the extent of Fuentes鈥� involvement in drug distribution and his repeated role in violent debt collection for the conspiracy, a lengthy sentence is needed.鈥�
In addition to the 10-year prison term, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour also ordered four years of supervised release to follow incarceration.
