Fentanyl distribution organization disrupted in Kern County
FRESNO, Calif. – A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Bakersfield residents Wilfredo Medina-Perez, 31; Uriel Ivan Portillo, 33; and Rojelio “Roy” Garcia, 47, charging them with various drug trafficking crimes involving the distribution of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between Feb. 11 and Nov. 21, Medina-Perez sold more than 8,000 fentanyl pills and one pound of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Portillo, who was working with Medina-Perez, delivered 5,000 fentanyl pills to the undercover officer. Garcia, obtained fentanyl from Medina-Perez with the intention of distributing the drug to his customers in the Bakersfield area.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie L. Alsworth and Vincente Tennerelli are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Medina faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million; Portillo faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million; and Garcia faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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