Leonard Gutierrez, 65, of Whittier, California, was sentenced to 340 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release for leading a trans-Pacific drug trafficking organization. The sentence was handed down by Senior United States District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi after Gutierrez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and carfentanil; nine counts of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Gutierrez has been detained since his arrest on April 9, 2024.
According to the court findings, Gutierrez played a leading role in the organization responsible for transporting over 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and more than four kilograms of carfentanil into Hawaii through various methods. The group also collected thousands of dollars from illegal drug sales.
Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid similar to fentanyl but is used primarily as a tranquilizer for large animals like elephants. It is about 100 times more potent than fentanyl and can be lethal even at very small doses.
Gutierrez was among eleven individuals charged across three indictments related to the operation. Nine have pleaded guilty while others await trial. Law enforcement agencies seized more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine, several kilograms each of fentanyl and carfentanil, eight firearms, ammunition, and over $150,000 in cash during the investigation.
Gutierrez is the sixth defendant sentenced in this case. Other sentences include:
– Shawn Pauahi Santana: Sentenced on April 30, 2025 to 240 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
– Faith Michelle Nelson: Sentenced on December 10, 2025 to 151 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
– Francis Anthony Abergas Jr.: Sentenced on December 16, 2025 to 210 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
– Trish Leila Henderson: Sentenced on January 8, 2026 to 36 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
– Travis Kalani Hong-Ah Nee: Sentenced on January 12, 2026 to 78 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for conspiracy involving carfentanil distribution and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from local police departments in Honolulu, Kauai, Maui; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Administration; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret C. Nammar prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159—Protecting the American People Against Invasion—which coordinates efforts among multiple federal agencies targeting criminal organizations operating within or affecting the United States.
