Tucson man sentenced to over 8 years in prison for possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine

PHOENIX — A federal judge sentenced a Tucson man to over eight years in prison last week for drug trafficking, authorities said.

Jose Antonio Ornelas, Jr. previously pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intention to distribute it, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

The 33-year-old was sentenced to 98 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.

Ornelas fled from law enforcement after trying to buy methamphetamine for $2,250 on Oct. 3, 2024, prosecutors said.

While speeding away, he ran a red light and drove in the opposite lane of traffic.

What did police find in Tucson drug bust?

Police tracked him down to a nearby apartment complex.

They found him with more than just methamphetamine. Ornelas also had fentanyl pills, a .45 caliber extended magazine, a drug ledger and a scale, prosecutors said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation in this case, while assistant U.S. attorney Ashley Culver of the District of Arizona in Tucson handled prosecution.

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