Youngstown Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Offenses

YOUNGSTOWN – Raphael Ortiz, 40, of Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, to more than 13 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson after Ortiz pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, in January 2021, law enforcement officers with the FBI, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force (MVVCTF) and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force (MVLETF) executed a search warrant at the Ortiz’s Youngstown-area residence.  During the execution of the warrant, investigators obtained a semi-automatic pistol and approximately $26,000 in cash.

That same day, authorities executed a second and third search warrant at two additional residences known to be used for the distribution and storage of narcotics by Ortiz.  During the execution of these search warrants, authorities discovered approximately 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl, two semi-automatic pistols, a shotgun and two semi-automatic rifles.

Ortiz is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2008 conviction for drug trafficking and 2004 convictions for possession of heroin and assault on a peace officer.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.