San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Francisco Maradiaga (31), after a trial by jury for drug dealing in the Tenderloin. Mr. Maradiaga was convicted of three counts of solicitation of a minor to sell narcotics and three counts of possession for sale or purchase of narcotics – fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The jury’s verdict holds Mr. Maradiaga accountable for peddling death in our community and for his brazen exploitation of a teenager in his unlawful enterprise. Although there is much more work to be done, the tide is turning and my office will do everything in our power to close open air drug markets and not allow us to backslide. The jury’s verdict in this case affirms the public’s commitment and ongoing support for this critical work.”

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on March 13, 2025, the San Francisco Police Department was conducting a narcotics spotting operation in the area of O’Farrell Street and Hyde Street around 4:00 p.m. when Mr. Maradiaga, was observed leaning against a parked car next to a 15-year-old minor. SFPD Officers observed Mr. Maradiaga and the minor conduct a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction. SFPD Plain Clothes Officers observed an unknown male approach Mr. Maradiaga and the minor and engaged in a conversation. The minor took out a bag of individually packaged narcotics from a black bag strapped across Mr. Maradiaga’s chest and provided it to the unknown male. The unknown male handed the minor cash and walked away. Officers then arrested Mr. Maradiaga and recovered dozens of individually packaged narcotics in his bag and jacket, including 10.6 grams of fentanyl, 10 grams of cocaine base, and 27.3 grams of methamphetamine. Officers also recovered $879 in cash in multiple denominations from the minor.

The case against Mr. Maradiaga was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Miranda, with assistance from paralegals Rayna Bryan and Andres Hernandez, Hang Ngo from the Subpoena Unit and IT support from Noaeh Pinaire. Prosecutors were able to put on a strong case thanks to the dedication of officers and staff from the San Francisco Police Department’s Narcotics team and the San Francisco Police Department’s Tenderloin Plain Clothes Unit.

“I would like to thank the jury for their service and careful consideration of the evidence,” said Assistant District Attorney Robert Miranda. “This conviction shows that the people of San Francisco are committed to holding accountable those who traffic poison in our community.”

Mr. Maradiaga is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to twelve years in custody. Sentencing will be scheduled after a bench trial on aggravating factors.

Court Number: 25005401

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