Mexican Alien Overstaying Tourist Visa by 8 Years Sentenced in D.C. for Cocaine Trafficking

WASHINGTON - Sergio Castillo-Lopez, 29, a citizen of Mexico who was unlawfully present in the United States for eight years, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison in connection with his running a cocaine distribution operation out of his bedroom in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"Sergio Castillo-Lopez came to the United States on a temporary visa, ignored the law for nearly a decade, and used that time to run a cocaine distribution operation," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "This criminal will spend the remainder of his unlawful stay in the United States in a prison cell and will then face deportation proceedings."

Castillo-Lopez, also known as "Sergio Chilel," pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2026, before U.S. District Court Judge Amir H. Ali to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In addition to the 12-month prison term, Judge Ali ordered Castillo-Lopez to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 27-month prison term. Castillo-Lopez has agreed not to contest his removal from the United States following completion of his sentence.

According to court papers, Castillo-Lopez entered the United States on a 30-day visa in 2017 and never left. Castillo-Lopez remained in the United States for approximately eight years and used his residence in Washington, D.C. to possess, package, and prepare cocaine for distribution.

On Oct. 9, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Castillo-Lopez's residence in the 3000 block of Warder Street NW. In his bedroom, officers found nearly half a kilogram of cocaine with a street value of up to $12,000. Some of the cocaine was already broken down into gram-quantity bags for distribution. Officers also seized two digital scales and $3,126 in cash, the bills predominantly small denominations consistent with street-level drug proceeds.

The investigation was conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Akhtar.

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