Sergio Maya Receives 20-Year Sentence for Fatal Fentanyl Sale [Los Angeles, CA]

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 8, 2024) — Sergio Maya, a 33-year-old from Lake Elsinore, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a fatal fentanyl overdose. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi in Los Angeles after Maya pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The case stemmed from an incident on May 26, 2022, when Maya sold fentanyl near a Lake Elsinore apartment complex. The victim, whose name has not been released, used the drug later that day and suffered a fatal overdose. 

United States Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “The recklessness of this defendant resulted in the victim’s untimely death and his loved ones in mourning.”

The sentencing on the Los Angeles fentanyl death marks the maximum penalty under federal law for such charges, reflecting the severity with which authorities are treating the distribution of fentanyl. The investigation received support from both the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Riverside County District Attorney Michael A. Hestrin lauded the cooperation between local and federal agencies, noting that such partnerships often lead to more substantial sentences for those distributing deadly substances like fentanyl.