Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, also known as “El Gato,” and his son, Francisco Javier Espinoza Galindo, 31, both from Los Angeles, were charged with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced on March 26.
Antonio Espinoza was arrested at his home in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles, while his son, Francisco Espinoza, was also taken into custody. Antonio faces an additional charge of illegal reentry after multiple deportations.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Espinoza sold a pistol, a rifle, 131 rounds of ammunition, and over 500 grams of fentanyl pills to a buyer in July 2023. Espinoza is not licensed to deal firearms.
In August 2023, he allegedly sold an AR-style rifle and approximately one kilogram of fentanyl pills, which were supplied by Francisco Espinoza. In January 2024, Espinoza sold multiple firearms and ammunition, and in February 2024, he and his son allegedly sold more than 500 grams of fentanyl pills to a confidential informant.
Court documents revealed that Antonio Espinoza is a Mexican citizen who had been deported four times and reentered the U.S. illegally after each removal.
If convicted, both Antonio and Francisco Espinoza face a maximum of life in federal prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
