A Los Angeles father and son were arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging they possessed the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl with the intent to distribute it to others.
Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, also known as “El Gato,” of Mar Vista, and his son, Francisco Javier Espinoza Galindo, 31, of Santa Monica, were both charged with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Antonio Espinoza was also charged with illegal re-entry of a removed alien, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to affidavits filed with the complaints, Antonio Espinoza — who is not a licensed firearms dealer — in July 2023 sold a pistol, a rifle, 131 rounds of ammunition, and more than 500 grams of fentanyl pills to a buyer.
In August 2023, he allegedly sold an AR-style rifle and almost two pounds of fentanyl pills, supplied by Francisco Espinoza. In January, he allegedly sold a rifle, a pistol, a revolver, and ammunition. The next month, with his son present, Antonio Espinoza sold more than 500 grams of fentanyl pills to a confidential informant, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Antonio Espinoza is a Mexico citizen who was previously deported in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017, and illegally reentered the United States following his removals, according to court documents. His criminal history includes felony convictions in 2008 in Los Angeles Superior Court for possession of narcotics for sale and in 2015 in federal court in Arizona for illegal reentry of a removed alien, court papers show.
If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face between 10 years and life in federal prison, prosecutors said.