Fentanyl Dealer Brought Down by Wiretaps Gets Five Years in Jackson County Court

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — 32-year-old John Steven Diaz of Eagle Point, one of the 15-member drug trafficking family arrested in January on fentanyl trafficking charges, was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday.

Diaz played a central role in the large-scale drug trafficking operation investigated over two years by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team and its partner agencies.

MADGE deployed resources like wiretaps and warrants to crush the family-run drug empire in January, including six Title III wiretaps, which culminated in a raid on Diaz’s home, described as the hub of the organization’s activities.

During the raid, law enforcement seized substantial quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl, as well as drug manufacturing equipment, cash, and firearms. Fifteen people, including Diaz, were arrested and were all later indicted for their roles in the operation.

On Monday, John Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Delivery of Fentanyl and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Delivery of Fentanyl.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Collins agreed with prosecutors’ submission that Diaz made a significant contribution to the local fentanyl crisis.

While noting that Diaz’s personal addiction could have influenced his involvement, Judge Collins sentenced Diaz to 60 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, plus three years of post-prison supervision on Wednesday.

The court found the sentence appropriate, given Diaz’s role in distributing ounces of fentanyl daily in the community, and it was in line with Oregon’s sentencing laws. Diaz was not eligible for a longer sentence as he lacked prior convictions.