Oregon Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 72 Months After Fleeing to Mexico

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Mexican man who trafficked methamphetamine, heroin and counterfeit oxycodone pills into the United States has been sentenced to six years in federal prison after fleeing to Mexico before his original sentencing hearing.

Abel Resendiz-Villa, 42, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Resendiz-Villa’s sentencing was significantly delayed after he failed to appear for a January 2023 hearing and fled to Mexico in violation of his plea agreement. He was eventually located in Tijuana and extradited to the United States.

“Resendiz-Villa tried to escape the consequences of his criminal choices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office sees their cases through,” U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said. “As seen in this case, even fleeing the country won’t allow drug dealers to flee consequences.”

According to court documents, Resendiz-Villa trafficked methamphetamine, heroin and counterfeit oxycodone pills into the United States for distribution in the Portland area. Between approximately July 26 and July 30, 2020, he smuggled drugs into the country for sale and distribution.

Resendiz-Villa was arrested on Aug. 29, 2020, while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on a motorcycle. Authorities found approximately 4.5 kilograms of heroin concealed inside the motorcycle and his helmet.

A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Resendiz-Villa and several co-defendants on Aug. 20, 2020. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, using a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking and maintaining drug-involved premises.

Resendiz-Villa pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to distribute controlled substances on July 25, 2022.

He failed to appear for sentencing on Jan. 6, 2023, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

More than three years later, on Feb. 20, 2026, Mexican authorities arrested Resendiz-Villa in Tijuana based on the outstanding warrant. He was subsequently detained following his re-arrest and returned to the United States.

“The DEA and our law enforcement partners and prosecutors remain steadfast in our commitment to keep communities safe from fentanyl by reducing demand, cutting off drug supply chains, and saving American lives,” said Robert A. Saccone, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Seattle Field Division. “Drug traffickers who poison our communities with deadly fentanyl will be held accountable in a court of law.”

The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Maloney.

The U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, working with its Mexico Foreign Field Office, provided information that helped locate and extradite Resendiz-Villa.

The task force is a multi-agency narcotics and fugitive operation focused on identifying and dismantling local, interstate and international drug trafficking organizations, as well as locating and arresting fugitives. It includes investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Portland Police Bureau and Oregon State Police.

The case is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a federal interagency effort focused on investigating and prosecuting criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking networks.