United States of America v. Sergio Jauna Devoe

Anchorage, AK - Anchorage Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking



Defendant Caught Selling Fentanyl Marketed as Heroin



An Anchorage man was sentenced to federal prison for trafficking quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine intended for distribution.



Sergio Jauna Devoe, 28, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 10 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.



According to court documents, on May 24, 2017, APD’s Community Action Policing (CAP) and Vice units arranged to purchase heroin from Devoe at the Northway Mall, in front of the Carrs grocery store. Specifically, a call was placed to Devoe, and he agreed to sell two ounces of heroin for $1,850 each. Devoe arrived driving a Lexus sedan accompanied by another individual in the passenger seat, before officers immediately blocked in the vehicle. Officers observed a firearm in plain view located inside the vehicle. Upon being detained, a rolled up $5 bill containing .75 grams of cocaine fell out of Devoe’s hand. Devoe said he didn’t know about the gun, that he was not involved with drugs anymore, that he had $1,000 in his pocket, that he was borrowing his girlfriend’s car, and that he just picked up his passenger.



Located inside the vehicle was a stolen and loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield pistol, along with a lock box that contained 51.5 grams of methamphetamine and 25.27 grams of fentanyl, which was marketed as heroin. Fentanyl, sometimes known on the street as “Grey Death,” is a powerful opioid that is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Law enforcement officers also seized two cell phones, two digital scales, and 8.8 grams of marijuana.



The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Stinson.



This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Charges:

21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(C) POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(1)

18:924(c)(1)(A) CARRYING A FIREARM DURING AND IN RELATION TO A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME

Defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison.