Serial Oregon Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than Seven Years Behind Bars

A serial drug dealer was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison on Thursday in the Multnomah Circuit County Court on trafficking charges involving fentanyl and other drugs.

William Sanchez Stevenson Had Never Spent More Than Three Days In Jail

Despite 11 previous arrests, William Sanchez Stevenson (27) has never previously spent more than three days behind bars.

He has been arrested on numerous occasions for engaging in the commercial possession and sale of methamphetamine and fentanyl since June 2022, according to police.

In September, Stevenson pleaded guilty to five counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public, possession of a stolen vehicle, and second-degree trademark counterfeiting.

Stevenson Ignored Pre-Trial Bail Conditions

The court heard that after posting bail, Stevenson allegedly ignored pre-trial release conditions and continued to sell fentanyl in downtown Portland.

Prosecutor Chidimma Mgbadigha told the court that Stevenson was caught with drugs and $10,000 in cash in March 2022. He was released after posting bail of $100.

Last February, the Portland Police Bureau’s bike squad apprehended Stevenson in Old Town, at the intersection of Northwest 5th Avenue and Everett Street, with a bag of fentanyl and a firearm in his possession.

He had been arrested on 11 previous occasions by Portland police and had seven outstanding warrants for firearm and drug charges.

The court heard that Stevenson had never been formally convicted and was always granted an early release. He had never spent more than three days in jail.

Circuit Court Chief Criminal Judge Cheryl Albrecht said that bail was not a solution. He was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.