Anchorage man convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
Defendant was out on release from the State of Alaska in four pending criminal cases
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gian Carlo Clemente Pangilinan, 23, of Anchorage, was found guilty on Jan. 10, 2019, after a three-day federal jury trial. The jury found Pangilinan guilty of one count of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to evidence presented at trial, Anchorage Police were looking for Pangilinan on July 9, 2019, and found him in the Burger King parking lot near Penland Parkway. Once Pangilinan saw the police, he scaled a fence and fled on foot into the Penland Parkway neighborhood, shedding items of clothing and other personal items along the way, to include his cellular telephone and a baggie containing 162 grams of 99 percent pure methamphetamine. Despite his attempt to evade law enforcement, the Anchorage Police pursued Pangilinan on foot and took him into custody.
Evidence retrieved from Pangilinan’s cellular telephone in the form of text messages and direct messages on social media established that, since December 2018, Pangilinan had been distributing many different types of illegal controlled substances (to include heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine) in quantities ranging from one gram to several ounces. Specifically, individuals would contact Pangilinan via text or direct message on social media asking for different quantities of illegal controlled substances; Pangilinan would then respond with a price and agree to meet up with them.
The jury also heard evidence of a separate incident that occurred in February 2019, when the Anchorage Police responded to a call of shots fired near the Mountain View car wash. When the Anchorage Police attempted to contact Pangilinan, he attempted to flee on foot. During the chase, Pangilinan again began shedding personal items to include his cellular telephone and a baggie containing methamphetamine.
At the time of the July 2019 incident, Pangilinan was out on release from the State of Alaska in four pending criminal cases, to include Vehicle Theft in the First Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Resisting Arrest, and Violating Conditions of his Release.
As a result of Pangilinan’s federal conviction, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in federal prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Anchorage Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Cavanaugh and Kyle Reardon.
