Two Los Angeles County residents were charged Monday in connection with a drug trafficking conspiracy and an alleged assault on federal law enforcement officers following a high-speed chase in Fresno County, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

Kevin Guzman and Julian Alcantara-Aguirre, both 23, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Alcantara-Aguirre is also charged with assault on a federal officer.

According to court documents, the two men traveled from Los Angeles County to Fresno on Jan. 22 to carry out a planned sale of approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl. When they spotted law enforcement officers, Guzman and Alcantara-Aguirre fled in a black Toyota Matrix.

As Alcantara-Aguirre attempted to escape, he rammed the vehicle into multiple government vehicles occupied by Drug Enforcement Administration agents, authorities said. The suspects then led agents on a high-speed pursuit along Highway 99 and Highway 180 before stopping and fleeing on foot, officials said.

Both men were apprehended shortly afterward following a coordinated law enforcement response.

During the pursuit, officers recovered about 5 kilograms of fentanyl that had been thrown from the vehicle, according to court documents.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy charge, the defendants face a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Alcantara-Aguirre faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of assault on a federal officer.

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