Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Mexico was sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Manuel Sebastian Valenzuela Olivas, 20.

According to information presented to the Court, Olivas exploited a temporary visitor visa to traffic in fentanyl. Specifically, on or about August 10, 2025, Olivas traveled from the U.S./Mexico border to New York City to obtain fentanyl from a narcotics supplier located in the Bronx. Olivas was on his way to sell the fentanyl to a buyer in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, when Pennsylvania State Police stopped his vehicle on a traffic violation. During a search of Olivas' vehicle, troopers discovered one kilogram of fentanyl under the driver's seat.

Olivas has been in custody since his arrest and will be returned to immigration custody following his imprisonment for his removal from the U.S., to which Olivas agreed as part of his plea and sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Drug Law Enforcement Division, Western SHIELD Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Olivas.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.