65-year-old leader of trans-Pacific drug trafficking ring sentenced to 28 years

U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi sentenced 65-year-old Leonard Gutierrez of Whittier, Calif., to more than 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and firearms charges that involved bringing for distribution methamphetamine, fentanyl and carfentanil into the Hawaiian Islands, including Kauaʻi.

Kobayashi found that Gutierrez was a leader of a trans-Pacific drug trafficking network and responsible for bringing more than 26 kilograms of  meth, 1 kilogram of fentanyl and more than 4 kilograms of carfentanil into Hawaiʻi using a variety of methods.

He was also found to have collected thousands of dollars in illegal drug proceeds.  

Carfentanil is a fentanyl analogue and used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals.

A press release from U.S. Attorney’s Office in Honolulu says it is about 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which can be lethal at just 2 milligrams, depending on how it is administered and other factors. 

Gutierrez has been detained since his initial arrest April 9, 2024. His sentence also includes 5 years of supervised release when his prison time is completed.

He pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and carfentanil, nine counts of distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Gutierrez is one of 11 defendants charged — and sixth to be sentenced — in three separate indictments for crimes related to the operation of the trans-Pacific drug trafficking network, nine of whom pleaded guilty.

The remaining two are awaiting trial.

Investigation yielded seizures of more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine, several kilograms of fentanyl and carfentanil, eight firearms, ammunition and more than $150,000 in cash. 

Those charged in Gutierrez’s and other related indictments were sentenced as follows:  

• Shawn Pauahi Santana was sentenced April 30, 2025, to 240 months in prison and 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distributing methamphetamine.  
• Faith Michelle Nelson was sentenced Dec. 10, 2025, to 151 months in prison and 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to  possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  
• Francis Anthony Abergas Jr. — who is a previously convicted felon — was sentenced Dec. 16, 2025, to 210  months in prison and 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm and ammunition.  
• Trish Leila Henderson was sentenced Jan. 8 to 36 months in prison and 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  
• Travis Kalani Hong-Ah Nee — also a previously convicted felon — was sentenced Jan. 12 to 78 months in prison and 5 years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute carfentanil, possessing with intent to distribute carfentanil and possessing ammunition.  

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Honolulu, Kauaʻi and Maui police departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret C. Nammar is prosecuting the case, which is part of a Homeland Security Task Force initiative — Protecting the American People Against Invasion — established by presidential executive order.