North Carolina, January 14, 2026
Jose Burgueno-Luna and his father, Jose Burgueno-Urias, received additional prison sentences for running a drug trafficking operation while incarcerated. The pair was found guilty of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, managing to traffic these dangerous substances into North Carolina. Their operation involved using contraband phones to communicate with undercover agents and coordinate shipments of drugs. The case highlights ongoing issues with contraband in correctional facilities and the serious public health implications of fentanyl use.
Charlotte
Father and Son Receive Extended Federal Prison Sentences for Trafficking Drugs from Within Correctional Facility
A father and son already serving time in federal prison have been handed additional sentences totaling six and a half years each for orchestrating a drug trafficking scheme that moved illicit substances into North Carolina. Jose Burgueno-Luna and his father, Jose Burgueno-Urias, were sentenced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, after being found guilty of conspiring to traffic and distributing dangerous drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, while incarcerated. This case highlights the persistent challenges faced by correctional authorities in preventing the flow of contraband and criminal activities within federal facilities.
The pair will now serve an additional 78 months on top of their current sentences. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina oversaw the proceedings, where details of their intricate operation were revealed.
The In-Custody Operation Unveiled
The sophisticated scheme involved Jose Burgueno-Luna communicating with an undercover agent for approximately two months in early 2023. While inside a federal prison, Burgueno-Luna used a contraband cell phone to coordinate the movement of drugs. He informed the agent that he possessed 2,000 pills intended for distribution in North Carolina.
The operation was successful in its illicit aims, with Burgueno-Luna arranging the shipment of 2,000 pills containing fentanyl and nearly 900 grams of pure methamphetamine. These dangerous narcotics were successfully transported to Cherryville and Gaston County, North Carolina, reaching communities approximately 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. Laboratory tests conducted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed that the pills sent to Cherryville alone contained about 155 grams of fentanyl. The extreme potency of fentanyl is a critical concern, as just two grams of this synthetic opioid, which is significantly more powerful than heroin or morphine, can be lethal to an adult.
The illicit enterprise began to unravel when prison officials seized the cell phone Burgueno-Luna was using. The seizure occurred on April 20, 2023, during a phone call with the undercover agent concerning payment for the drugs. Just two days later, his father, Jose Burgueno-Urias, contacted the same undercover agent, attempting to collect payment for the delivered drugs and offering to supply additional narcotics.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability
In February of the previous year, Jose Burgueno-Luna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. His plea was entered without a plea deal. His father, Jose Burgueno-Urias, entered a guilty plea in January of the previous year to distribution of methamphetamine as part of a plea deal.
U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez presided over the sentencing. During the proceedings, it was noted that Burgueno-Luna could face deportation after completing his prison sentence. His court-appointed attorney highlighted Burgueno-Luna’s efforts toward rehabilitation while in a Catawba County jail for these charges, where he completed over 480 courses. These courses included rehabilitation programs, mathematics, and education on the health impacts of opioid addiction and its societal effects. Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Burgueno-Luna expressed regret for his actions to the judge.
The specific charges for which the father and son were initially incarcerated when they commenced their drug trafficking activities from within the federal prison remain undisclosed.
Addressing the Pervasive Threat of Drug Trafficking in Correctional Facilities
The sentencing of Jose Burgueno-Luna and Jose Burgueno-Urias underscores the persistent and complex challenges faced by authorities in combating drug trafficking, even within the secure environments of federal prisons. The incident demonstrates the determination of criminal networks to continue illicit operations despite incarceration, often utilizing contraband devices like cell phones to coordinate activities outside prison walls.
The involvement of highly dangerous substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine in this trafficking scheme further emphasizes the severity of these offenses. Fentanyl, in particular, continues to be a driving force in the nationwide opioid crisis due to its extreme potency and high risk of overdose. Efforts by law enforcement and correctional agencies are continuously evolving to detect and dismantle these internal trafficking rings, protecting both the incarcerated population and the wider community from the devastating effects of illegal drug distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who was sentenced for drug trafficking while in federal prison?
A: Jose Burgueno-Luna and his father, Jose Burgueno-Urias, were sentenced for drug trafficking while in federal prison.
Q: What was the additional sentence received by the father and son?
A: Both Jose Burgueno-Luna and Jose Burgueno-Urias were sentenced to an additional 78 months (six and a half years) in federal prison.
Q: What drugs were involved in the trafficking scheme?
A: The drug trafficking scheme involved fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Q: Where were the drugs trafficked to?
A: The drugs were trafficked to North Carolina, specifically Cherryville and Gaston County.
Q: How did Jose Burgueno-Luna coordinate the drug trafficking?
A: Jose Burgueno-Luna coordinated the drug trafficking using a cell phone while incarcerated in federal prison.
Q: What was the quantity of fentanyl pills involved?
A: Jose Burgueno-Luna told an undercover agent he had 2,000 pills he wanted to send to North Carolina, and successfully sent 2,000 pills of fentanyl. The pills shipped to Cherryville contained about 155 grams of fentanyl.
Q: What charges did Jose Burgueno-Luna plead guilty to?
A: Jose Burgueno-Luna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Q: What charge did Jose Burgueno-Urias plead guilty to?
A: Jose Burgueno-Urias pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
Q: Who was the sentencing judge?
A: U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez was the sentencing judge.
Q: Could Jose Burgueno-Luna face deportation?
A: Yes, U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez said he could be deported after serving his sentence.
Key Features of the Drug Trafficking Case
| Feature | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals Sentenced | Jose Burgueno-Luna and Jose Burgueno-Urias (father and son) | Nationwide (Federal Prison) |
| Additional Sentence | 78 months (6.5 years) added to existing prison sentences | Nationwide (Federal Prison) |
| Primary Drugs Trafficked | Fentanyl and Methamphetamine | Nationwide (Drug types) |
| Trafficking Origin | While incarcerated in a federal prison | Nationwide (Federal Prison) |
| Trafficking Destination | North Carolina (Cherryville and Gaston County) | State-level |
| Method of Coordination | Contraband cell phone used by Jose Burgueno-Luna | Nationwide (Federal Prison context) |
| Fentanyl Quantity Shipped | Approximately 2,000 pills containing about 155 grams of fentanyl | State-level |
| Methamphetamine Quantity Shipped | Nearly 900 grams of pure methamphetamine | State-level |
| Sentencing Judge | U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez | Nationwide (Federal Judiciary) |
| Potential Consequence for Burgueno-Luna | Deportation after serving sentence | Nationwide (Federal Immigration Law) |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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