DOJ: Fresno man sentenced for conspiring in drug trafficking

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after being caught attempting to conspire with others to distribute meth and cocaine, the United States Department of Justice said.

According to the DOJ, Antonio Sorondo Jr., 52, of Fresno was sentenced on Monday to 12 years and seven months in prison for possessing illegal firearms and conspiring to traffic cocaine and methamphetamine.

Court documents report Sorondo conspired with others to possess and distribute meth and cocaine between January and February 2022.

On Feb. 1, 2022, federal officials say law enforcement tried to contact Sorondo, but he fled and tossed a firearm over a chain-link fence. Officers apprehended him and recovered the abandoned and loaded firearm.

Two weeks later, officials say Sorondo was arrested in possession of about 100 counterfeit oxycodone pills that were laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Additionally, Sorondo was found in possession of two firearms, which he was prohibited to have because of his prior convictions.