An Annandale resident, Marcantonio Juarez Velasquez, 20, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug and firearms offenses. The sentencing took place in Alexandria following his conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Court records show that on June 20, 2024, law enforcement observed Juarez Velasquez engaging in a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction in Fairfax County. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant after the incident. He was arrested on August 2, 2024. At the time of his arrest, officers found him carrying a handgun, an extended magazine loaded with 15 rounds, $949.83 in cash, and 258 fentanyl pills.
While detained before trial, Juarez Velasquez instructed a minor to hide additional fentanyl pills, a firearm, and cash at his family’s home. A search of the residence on August 6 resulted in the seizure of 9,220 fentanyl pills, $2,344 in cash, another handgun with two ammunition magazines, as well as identification and debit cards belonging to Juarez Velasquez.
The announcement was made by Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police. U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff presided over the sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel K. Amzallag and Ronald L. Walutes Jr. handled the prosecution.
“A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia,” according to officials involved in the case. “Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-163.”
