Grand Forks Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Drug Crimes

Jesus Guadalupe Perez pleads guilty to multiple felony drug charges, including cocaine and methamphetamine distribution.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small scale with white powder residue, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic without any text or identifiable elements.The seizure of drug paraphernalia and large quantities of narcotics highlights the ongoing battle against the distribution of illegal substances in the Grand Forks community.Grand Forks Today

Jesus Guadalupe Perez, a 43-year-old Grand Forks resident, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of drug crimes, including the sale of cocaine, methamphetamine, and psilocybin mushrooms. Perez pleaded guilty to eight felony offenses and took full responsibility for the crimes, apologizing to his family and the community. His wife, Erika Flores Perez, is facing similar charges.

Why it matters

Drug distribution and addiction continue to be major issues in the Grand Forks area, with prosecutors citing the severity of Perez's crimes and his criminal history as factors in the lengthy sentence. This case highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in combating the flow of illegal narcotics and the impact it has on families and public safety.

The details

Perez was charged in three separate cases, the first stemming from a July 2026 traffic stop and search warrant that uncovered large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs, as well as nearly $4,000 in cash. Additional search warrants executed that day at Perez's residence and a suspected 'stash house' led to the seizure of over 4 pounds of marijuana, over 550 grams of THC edibles, 131 grams of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of cocaine and fentanyl. The third case involved four controlled drug buys by a confidential informant, resulting in charges for the sale of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms.

  • On July 24, 2026, Perez and his wife were pulled over in a traffic stop, leading to the execution of search warrants.
  • In September 2026, Perez was charged in a third case stemming from controlled drug buys by a confidential informant.
  • In December 2026, Perez pleaded guilty to eight felony drug charges.

The players

Jesus Guadalupe Perez

A 43-year-old Grand Forks resident who pleaded guilty to multiple felony drug charges, including the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and psilocybin mushrooms.

Erika Flores Perez

The wife of Jesus Guadalupe Perez, who is facing similar criminal charges related to the drug crimes.

Ward Johnson

The attorney representing Jesus Guadalupe Perez, who stated that his client recognizes he made a series of poor decisions that involved his wife and child.

Megan Essig

The prosecutor in the case, who referenced the severity of Perez's crimes and the ongoing drug distribution issues in the Grand Forks area.

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What they’re saying

“I just want to apologize to my family for letting them down.”

— Jesus Guadalupe Perez

“Drugs — and drug distribution — are huge in this county, and it just keeps getting worse.”

— Megan Essig, Prosecutor

What’s next

Perez will spend the next 20 years in prison, with credit for 256 days already served. After his release, he will be on supervised probation for 3 years, and if he successfully completes probation, he will not be required to serve the remaining 20 years of his 40-year sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges communities like Grand Forks face in combating the distribution of illegal drugs, which can have devastating impacts on families and public safety. The lengthy sentence for Perez reflects the severity of his crimes and the efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors to hold drug dealers accountable and deter future criminal activity.