Father-son duo arrested for allegedly selling fentanyl, guns in Los Angeles

A father and son duo are facing criminal charges for alleged fentanyl trafficking and illegal gun sales in Los Angeles.

According to the Department of Justice, federal criminal complaints allege the duo sold a total of at least 4.4 lbs of fentanyl pills as well as multiple firearms and ammunition.

Officials identified the father as Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, of the Mar Vista area in Los Angeles, and his son as Francisco Javier Espinoza Galindo, 31, of Santa Monica.

Authorities arrested Antonio and Francisco in Los Angeles County on March 26.

Court documents claim that Antonio sold a pistol, a rifle, 131 rounds of ammunition and more than 1.1 pounds of fentanyl pills to a buyer in July 2023. The DOJ added that Antonio, also known as “El Gato,” is not licensed to deal firearms.

Then, in August 2023, Antonio purportedly sold an AR-style rifle and about 2.2 pounds of fentanyl pills to a buyer. It was noted that this time, the narcotics and firearms were supplied by Francisco.

The next instance was recorded in January 2025, when Antonio allegedly sold a rifle, a pistol, a revolver and ammunition to a buyer.

It was the next month when Antonio made a sale to a confidential informant. In this transaction, Antonio sold more than 1.1 pounds of fentanyl pills with his son present, ultimately leading to their March arrest.

In addition to facing these narcotics and firearms-related charges, the DOJ said Antonio was also charged for reentering the U.S. after at least four deportations.

The father also has a criminal history, including 2008 felony convictions for possession of narcotics for sale.

If convicted on all charges, the DOJ said Antonio and Francisco would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.