Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years for Leading Jackson County Drug Trafficking Operation

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jan. 12, 2026) — A Jackson County man identified by prosecutors as the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison following a two-year, multi-agency investigation.

The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Carlos Diaz pleaded guilty Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, to 16 felony counts tied to the manufacture, delivery and possession of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with physical evidence.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Ravassipour accepted the district attorney’s sentencing recommendation and sentenced Diaz to 125 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, followed by three years of post-prison supervision.

Authorities said the charges stem from a two-year investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in Jackson County, led by Diaz. The investigation was conducted by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team in coordination with partner agencies and included the use of six Title III wiretaps.

Investigators determined that Diaz organized the transport of multiple pounds of fentanyl from California into the Jackson County area, prosecutors said.

The investigation culminated in January 2025 with the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics, including substantial amounts of fentanyl, along with drug manufacturing equipment, large sums of cash and numerous firearms. Many of the items were recovered from Diaz’s residence or buried on surrounding property, according to the district attorney’s office.

A total of 17 individuals, including Diaz, were indicted for their roles in the drug trafficking organization.

During sentencing, Judge Ravassipour agreed with prosecutors that Diaz was a leading contributor to the fentanyl crisis in Jackson County, stating that the sentence was appropriate given that he posed a serious threat to the community. The judge said the incarceration would make local streets safer.

The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Shaw. Because criminal proceedings involving multiple co-conspirators are ongoing, officials said no additional details will be released at this time.