A Mexican national has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. The sentence, delivered by United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV, will be followed by one year of supervised release.
The defendant, Manuel Sebastian Valenzuela Olivas, age 20, was convicted of violating federal narcotics laws. According to court information, Olivas used a temporary visitor visa to travel from the U.S./Mexico border to New York City. There he obtained fentanyl from a supplier in the Bronx. He was en route to sell the drug in Monroeville, Pennsylvania when his vehicle was stopped by Pennsylvania State Police for a traffic violation. During the stop on August 10, 2025, troopers found one kilogram of fentanyl under the driver’s seat.
Olivas has remained in custody since his arrest and will be transferred to immigration authorities after serving his sentence for removal proceedings. This arrangement was part of his plea agreement.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson led the prosecution of this case.
United States Attorney Rivetti acknowledged the efforts of several agencies: “I commend the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Drug Law Enforcement Division, Western SHIELD Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work leading to this successful prosecution.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to use all resources available within the Department of Justice against cartels and transnational criminal organizations as well as address illegal immigration and violent crime.
