It appears that David Joseph Yama, 42, of Reedley, finally realized the gravity of his situation Friday.

Three days before the scheduled start of his drug trafficking and illegal gun possession trial, he pleaded guilty to the federal charges.

The Evidence Against Yama

According to court documents, on Sept. 1, 2020, officers responded to a gas station in Clovis after a report of suspicious activity. A search of Yama’s vehicle uncovered a large amount of cash, ammunition, plastic baggies, vials containing fentanyl, more than 200 fentanyl pills, and more than 100 pills commonly known as Xanax.

A search of Yama’s residence the same day revealed additional controlled substances and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

Five Previous Felony Drug and Firearm Convictions

In January 2021, officers stopped Yama driving the same car. Officers recovered more Xanax pills, ammunition, a loaded ghost gun, and a silencer. Yama has five prior felony drug trafficking and firearms convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

In May 2019, law enforcement discovered a clandestine drug lab in Yama’s trailer at a storage facility. Officers seized pill‑making equipment, including a pill press. Residue on the equipment tested positive for fentanyl and other controlled substances.

Sentencing Set for October

Yama is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Oct. 19, 2026, at Fresno’s federal courthouse. Yama faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

This case stemmed from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team, a multi-agency group composed of the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations; the California Department of Justice, and the Clovis, Reedley, and Fresno police departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple, Joshua B. Banister, and Justin J. Gilio are prosecuting the case.