COLUMBUS, OH – Two local individuals receive significant prison sentences for their involvement in federal drug crimes, marking their second convictions.
Francisco Ruellas-Gonzalez, 31, and Jaime Renteria, 33, both of Columbus, have been sentenced to 120 months each in prison following their guilty pleas related to drug trafficking activities. Ruellas-Gonzalez’s sentence was handed down today after his November 2023 guilty plea for intending to distribute significant amounts of fentanyl and its analogues. Renteria received his sentence in January after pleading guilty in August 2023 to similar charges involving fentanyl, its analogues, and heroin.
Investigations revealed the duo operated a drug stash house on Clearhurst Drive in Columbus, with minimal furnishings and no electricity, while living on Athalia Drive. Law enforcement’s search of their residences, persons, and vehicles led to the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, five firearms, ammunition, and nearly $29,000 in drug proceeds.
These sentences follow their previous federal drug trafficking convictions in 2018, where Ruellas-Gonzalez also faced deportation to Mexico for the fourth time. Renteria had been released early in January 2022 under the First Step Act. Their repeated offenses underscore ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking within the community.