Portland man sentenced for importing fentanyl from China

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for importing fentanyl from China.

The Oregonian/Oregon Live reported 28-year-old John William Schantz was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Portland.

Schantz pleaded guilty to one count of importing a controlled substance.

Authorities say the Portland resident planned to use the fentanyl to make and sell counterfeit prescription pills.

Prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence.

Schantz’s defense attorney requested the mandatory minimum sentence of five years, saying he turned to selling drugs “out of desperation” to support his heroin addiction.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut says she considered aggravating factors in the sentencing, including the discovery at Schantz’s apartment of a firearm, cash and equipment to make counterfeit pills.