Madera County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Caused Overdose Death

FRESNO, Calif. — Elias Soliz, 26, of Madera, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 3, 2023, Soliz knowingly distributed one fentanyl pill to J.M. in Madera. J.M. suffered a fatal overdose just a few hours later. Law enforcement searched Soliz’ phone under a warrant and found that Soliz had deleted communications with the victim that had been found on the victim’s phone. Law enforcement also located additional evidence of drug dealing.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Madera Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.