Auburn man who converted garage to a fentanyl pill manufacturing lab sentenced to 11 years in prison

Johnny Elias, a 59-year-old Auburn resident, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and operating a pill manufacturing lab. Arrested in November 2024, Elias was found to have purchased an industrial pill press and converted his garage into a lab for producing counterfeit pills. U. S. District Judge James L.

Robart pointed out the extreme danger of his actions, which could have resulted in over 300,000 lethal doses of fentanyl. Prosecutor Max Shiner requested a 15-year sentence, citing Elias's extensive drug distribution and possession of firearms, which heightened the severity of his offenses. The investigation led by the DEA revealed that Elias falsely operated a vitamin business while engaging in drug trafficking. In addition to the pill press, agents discovered four kilograms of fentanyl powder and various drug paraphernalia during a raid on his home. Elias’s actions not only endangered lives but also demonstrated a calculated approach to drug manufacturing, as indicated by his possession of Narcan.

After serving his sentence, he will be subject to four years of supervised release.