Woodbridge man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl and machineguns

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Woodbridge man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, around June 2023, Fernando Alexis Orellana Banegas, 24, came to the attention of agents investigating drug trafficking and firearms sales in the Woodbridge area. Orellana was using the Telegram app to sell drugs and firearms under the username, "Boofpak Exotics." Through this username, Orellana advertised various illicit narcotics, including counterfeit oxycodone pills, and firearms for sale.

From July 12, 2023, to Nov. 15, 2023, the FBI conducted six controlled purchases from Orellana. Over those six transactions, Orellana sold approximately 495 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, three firearms, and two machine gun conversion devices. On two occasions Orellana sold fentanyl pills and firearms in the same transaction, and on another occasion he sold fentanyl pills along with machinegun conversion devices.

Orellana is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and an additional mandatory minimum of five consecutive years in prison for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo Rodriguez and Catherine Rosenberg are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. 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. 1:24-cr-92.