Columbus Man Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

CLEVELAND  – Patrick A. Anaya, 24, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced on Friday, January 6, 2023, to 12 ½ years in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. 

"Law enforcement in this region and in Lorain County continue to fight against fentanyl dealers, drug traffickers, and violent criminals who intend to harm our communities,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler.  “As we’ve shown time and time again, if you deal poison and illegally carry firearms in Lorain County or Northern Ohio, you may soon find yourself in prison.”

“Drug trafficking is one of the highest priorities of the FBI, nationally and across Northern Ohio,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge, Gregory Nelsen. “We are committed to keeping our communities safe by finding, investigating, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations one person at a time. Today’s sentence represents the unwavering commitment by our federal, state, and local partners to see that nefarious criminals are off the streets and no longer a danger to the public.”

According to court documents, on January 11, 2022, law enforcement authorities arrested Anaya on an outstanding warrant while he was attempting to meet with a potential drug buyer.  Authorities then searched Anaya and found that he possessed 1.4 kilograms of fentanyl and quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.  Authorities also found Anaya to be in possession of a handgun tucked into his waistband and a semiautomatic rifle in his vehicle.

This case was investigated as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County.

This case was investigated by the Elyria Police Department and the Cleveland Division of the FBI.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Kolansky.