Drug trafficker, with two prior convictions, sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin

Press Release

Defendant had 44 pounds of meth, more than half a kilo each of cocaine and heroin when he tried to flee from law enforcement

Seattle - A Mexican national, who has twice been convicted of drug trafficking, was sentenced for his third conviction to 70 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Francisco Capado-Gonzales, 39, has been in custody since his arrest in SeaTac, Washington, on October 19, 2023. Judge Kymberly K. Evanson imposed the 70-month sentence emphasizing the large amount of drugs in the case.

According to records filed in the case, in the fall of 2023, Capado-Gonzalez approached someone he believed would be a drug customer, who was actually a person working with law enforcement. Capado-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators claimed they could provide pound quantities of methamphetamine. On October 19, 2023, the person working with law enforcement was scheduled to pick up the drugs at a SeaTac motel. Instead, law enforcement arrived at the room. Capado-Gonzalez attempted to flee into a wooded area near the hotel but was arrested.

Capado-Gonzales was indicted by the grand jury on November 1, 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 6, 2024. This is Capado-Gonzalez third conviction for drug offenses. He was arrested and convicted in Las Vegas in 2007 with heroin and cocaine. In 2013 he was arrested and convicted a second time while possessing heroin and methamphetamine. He served a 41-month sentence.

In asking for an 84-month sentence, prosecutors emphasized that methamphetamine is present in many drug overdoses, writing to the court, "In 2023, 58% of all overdose deaths in King County involved methamphetamine.And here, Capado-Gonzalez had a leadership role in a conspiracy to distribute at least 44 pounds of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, as well as 542 grams of a mixture or substance containing heroin and 591 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine. Such quantities pose an increased danger to the community and warrant a heavier sentence..."

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda McDowell and Michael Harder.

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Updated December 16, 2024