Mario Jose Villagrana, a 30-year-old former resident of Pacific Grove, has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila for charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and manufacturing firearms without a license.
Villagrana was charged on November 7, 2022, and pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025. His offenses included possessing multiple firearms and approximately 1.45 kilograms of fentanyl.
Court documents revealed that law enforcement searched Villagrana’s residence on February 15, 2022. They found eight firearms, ammunition, tools for manufacturing firearms, over 13,000 fentanyl pills disguised as “M30” pills, and $23,105 in cash. The firearms recovered included assault rifles and ghost guns. A Glock pistol was also found converted to fire fully automatically with an extended magazine.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Davila imposed a four-year supervised release period and ordered Villagrana to pay a $300 special assessment. He was immediately taken into custody.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian along with DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris and ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case with help from Sahib Kaur. The investigation involved the DEA, ATF, and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
