An Auburn man who had a fentanyl pill manufacturing lab in his garage was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on July 29, Johnny Elias, 59, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and distribute, unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. According to the DOJ, these charges stem from Elias buying fentanyl from another suspect, buying a pill press, then intending to manufacture pills and sell them.

According to the DOJ, Elias ran a fake vitamin business, which he used to cover up his fentanyl pill production business. Additionally, at the same time that Elias was operating his fentanyl pill business, he was a counselor to at-risk youth while selling pills that kill one to two young people a day.

“The deadly nature of the four kilograms of fentanyl powder that Mr. Elias was manufacturing into pills is easy to count: It could have yielded over 300,000 lethal doses,” said David F. Reames, special agent in charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Mr. Elias clearly knew the dangers of his scheme and took steps to protect himself from overdose and violence, callously disregarding these dangers he foisted on others.”

On Nov. 18, 2024, DEA agents raided Elias’ home and seized a fentanyl pill manufacturing lab in his garage, four kilograms of fentanyl powder, manufactured pills containing fentanyl and heroin, scales and baggies for packaging drugs for sale, Narcan, two handguns and a rifle.