Mario Jose Villagrana has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for crimes involving fentanyl distribution and firearms offenses. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila delivered the sentence.
Villagrana, aged 30 and formerly of Pacific Grove, faced a three-count information on November 7, 2022. He admitted guilt on February 10, 2025, to charges including possession of multiple firearms, illegal manufacturing of firearms, and possession with intent to distribute about 1.45 kilograms of fentanyl.
Court documents reveal that law enforcement executed a search at Villagrana’s residence on February 15, 2022. The search uncovered eight firearms, numerous firearm magazines and ammunition, tools for firearm manufacturing, over thirteen thousand “M30” pills containing fentanyl, and $23,105 in cash. Among the seized weapons were assault rifles and ghost guns; one Glock pistol had been converted to fire fully automatically with an extended magazine. At the time of these offenses, Villagrana was on state parole due to previous felonies.
In addition to his prison term, Judge Davila imposed a four-year supervised release period and ordered a $300 special assessment fee. Villagrana was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian along with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case with assistance from Sahib Kaur following an investigation conducted by the DEA, ATF, and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
