Jose Ramon Lopez, a 30-year-old resident of Yuma, Arizona, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Lopez was apprehended after an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), and the United States Marshals Service. Authorities reported that on May 2, 2021, a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County resulted in Lopez being found with more than 5,000 counterfeit OxyContin pills containing a total of 562 grams of fentanyl. After his arrest and initial charges in Sequoyah County District Court, Lopez posted bond and fled to Mexico.
A federal indictment followed in February 2022. U.S. Marshals arrested Lopez at an Arizona port of entry on December 30, 2024, and returned him to Oklahoma for prosecution on federal drug trafficking charges. On August 4, 2025, he pleaded guilty before a federal district court.
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson stated: “This sentence is a warning to those who threaten the safety and peace of our streets by trafficking in illicit drugs. The Department of Justice is proud to stand side by side with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to defend our communities.”
Joseph B. Tucker, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Division, said: “Drug dealers manufacture and traffic counterfeit pills which look like alprazolam, hydrocodone, or oxycodone but can contain lethal doses of fentanyl. Mr. Lopez was one of those dealers. This sentence reflects our continued resolve to partner with our law-enforcement counterparts to fight greed, violence, and substance abuse in Eastern Oklahoma communities.”
OHP Chief Colonel Joe Williams commented: “The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is proud of the work our troopers conducted in this case. It underscores our commitment to our most important mission, keeping Oklahomans safe. Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug and even a small amount can be deadly. Like all states, we have seen the tragedy that results from this deadly drug. Justice has finally caught up with Jose Ramon Lopez, and this case highlights the importance of strong cooperation with our federal partners in disrupting drug trafficking and protecting our communities. We appreciate the diligent work of the prosecution and thank the court for its careful handling of this case. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol remains committed to continued collaboration with our federal partners to keep Oklahoma safe.”
The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Senior Judge Ronald A. White presided over the sentencing hearing in Muskogee’s United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Lopez will remain under U.S. Marshals custody until he is transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility where he will serve his non-paroleable sentence.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the government during sentencing.
