Seven-time-deported Honduran who sold fentanyl in San Francisco gets 18-month federal sentence
A seven-time-deported Honduran who was arrested by San Francisco police selling fentanyl in 2023, then arrested again on drugs charges in 2025, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment today at the city’s federal courthouse.
Alex Flores Espinosa earlier pleaded guilty to illegal reentry and possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
The court was told Espinosa was found with 27 grams of fentanyl after being arrested for drug dealing on February 20 2023 in San Francisco.
After a subsequent drugs arrest in 2025, the court heard, Espinosa was brought into federal custody and charged with fentanyl trafficking, based on his 2023 arrest, and illegal reentry, based on his last deportation in 2019.
There is no suggestion that immigration authorities’ attention was drawn to Espinosa’s arrest by local officials.
Pursuant to a plea agreement attorneys for the government and defense recommended that the court impose an 18-month sentence.
“After conferring with the SF District Attorney’s Office,” wrote federal prosecutor Sailaja Paidipaty in a sentencing memorandum, “government counsel understands that the proposed resolution here required Flores Espinosa to serve a longer sentence than one that likely would be imposed in state court for the drug charges.”
“[I]t is clear that he was not a drug kingpin but rather a low-level street dealer,” wrote defense attorney Angela Chuang in her memo to the court.
“When placed in perspective, Mr Flores-Espinosa’s offense is relatively minor,” she added.
Today in courtroom 6 of San Francisco federal courthouse U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer agreed to impose the 18-month term.
Espinosa, who declined an opportunity to address the court, was warned that he faces deportation for the eighth time after his sentence is completed.
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