NEW JERSEY — A Somerset County man faces decades in prison after admitting to distributing fentanyl that caused four overdose deaths and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Mauricio Gutierrez, 52, of Somerset, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
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Fatal fentanyl sales
Court documents show Gutierrez sold fentanyl from his home on June 22, 2022, in two separate transactions that directly resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Their names have not been released.
More than a year later, on Sept. 27, 2023, Gutierrez was arrested. Authorities seized cocaine from his vehicle and residence. In court, he admitted he still planned to distribute the cocaine despite knowing his earlier fentanyl sales had killed four people.
Potential penalties
Each charge carries up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the proceeds of the crimes. If sentences run consecutively, Gutierrez could face as much as 80 years. He will also serve a term of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026.
Multi-agency investigation
The case was part of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. Homeland Security Investigations Newark led the probe with help from the North Brunswick and Franklin Township Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent D. Romano and Christopher Fell are prosecuting the case.
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