PORTLAND, Ore. — A Honduran national unlawfully residing in the United States has been sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a 29-year-old Portland man.
Hugo Gomez-Soto, 51, was also sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release. Federal prosecutors said Gomez-Soto had previously been deported more than twice and had a prior drug-dealing conviction.
According to evidence presented at trial, Gomez-Soto sold the victim illicit fentanyl in both powder form and counterfeit pills. The victim, a Southwest Portland resident, used some of the fentanyl the following day and died moments later.
“This case is a stark reminder of the danger fentanyl poses to our community,” U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said. “The defendant was peddling death, and this time it resulted in the tragic loss of a young man’s life.”
Bradford said his office would continue pursuing cases involving fentanyl dealers and seeking justice for victims and their families.
Following the victim’s death, a Portland Police Bureau officer used the victim’s phone while posing as him to arrange another drug purchase from Gomez-Soto. On Jan. 25, 2024, Gomez-Soto arrived for the transaction and was arrested on state charges. Police said he was carrying fentanyl powder and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl at the time.
The case was initially referred to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, which charged Gomez-Soto with negligent homicide and multiple counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
On May 5, 2025, the district attorney’s office asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to review the case for potential federal prosecution. Four days later, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Portland Police Bureau, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint charging Gomez-Soto with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment on June 18, 2025.
After a six-day trial, a federal jury found Gomez-Soto guilty on April 13, 2026, of distributing fentanyl resulting in death and possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute.
“While this sentence is truly justified, no amount of prison time and no amount of restitution will bring back a lost loved one,” said April Miller, acting special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “We want to thank our Portland Police Bureau partners for their work on this case. Together, we can make an impact against those like Mr. Gomez-Soto, who harm our communities with fentanyl and other illegal narcotics.”
The investigation was conducted by the Portland Police Bureau’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit with assistance from HSI and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott M. Kerin and Nicole Bockelman prosecuted the case.
Federal officials said fentanyl is estimated to be 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. They warned that even a small amount can be fatal.
The case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on illegal immigration, drug cartels, transnational criminal organizations and violent crime.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
