Eau Claire Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mario R. Aviles, 27, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced October 30, 2024 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 2 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. That prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Aviles pleaded guilty to this charge on July 16, 2024.

The government's investigation revealed that Hector Jimenez-Sosa was the leader of a methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking organization in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He received large quantities of controlled substances through the mail from his sources in California. Between August and October 2023, law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Jimenez-Sosa and his associates on multiple occasions using a confidential informant. The drug sales took place at two workshops operated by Jimenez-Sosa.

Aviles, Jimenez-Sosa's nephew, was identified as an important member of Jimenez-Sosa's organization. Aviles sold drugs himself and was also present when Jimenez-Sosa sold drugs. For example, on September 19, 2023, a confidential informant purchased 60 grams of methamphetamine and 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at Jimenez-Sosa's shops in Eau Claire. On October 3, 2023, the confidential informant purchased an additional 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at one of Jimenez-Sosa's shops. During that drug sale, the confidential informant and Aviles talked about the prior methamphetamine sale as well as a potential future deal for a larger quantity of methamphetamine.

On December 8, 2023, Jimenez-Sosa was arrested at his residence and Aviles was arrested at one of Jimenez-Sosa's shops. Search warrants were executed at Jimenez-Sosa's residence and shops. Officers located cocaine, marijuana, ammunition, and drug trafficking supplies.

At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that Aviles' growing contribution to his uncle's drug trafficking organization was significant and he arrived at the sentence after weighing Aviles' conduct against his lack of prior criminal record among other mitigating factors.

Co-defendant Hector Jimenez-Sosa pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced by Judge Conley on September 25, 2024, to 10 years in federal prison.

The charges against Aviles and Jimenez-Sosa were the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service. The Eau Claire County District Attorney's Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.