SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.– Maria Valle-Rodriguez, 47, a Honduran national, was sentenced yesterday to 135 months (11 years and three months) in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses in the Bay Area. Her co-defendants, Emilson Valle-Zuniga, 33, and Jonsan Valle-Rodriguez, 31, both Honduran nationals, were previously sentenced on May 21, 2025...

FRESNO, Calif. — Juan Carlos Ruiz Jr., aka “Goer”, 26, of Coalinga, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine and firearms trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. According to court documents, Ruiz distributed more than...

TUCSON, Ariz. – German Montano-Peralta, 33, of Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on May 12, 2025, by United States District Judge Angela Martinez to 88 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Montano-Peralta previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. On April 30, 2024...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Jamar Deontae Barnes, 43, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 16 years and eight months in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills, Acting U.S...

TUCSON, Ariz. – Armando Puentes-Melendez, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced on April 24, 2025, by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 60 months in prison. Puentes-Melendez previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. On January 18, 2024, law enforcement agents intercepted a drug transaction involving over 100...

SAN FRANCISCO – Natalie Marie Gonzalez, the leader of a drug trafficking service that supplied controlled substances throughout the Bay Area to students and young professionals, was sentenced today to 50 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Trina L...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a five–day trial, a federal jury found Darren Tramaine Tony Mitchell, 35, of Vallejo, guilty of one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration Special...

TUCSON, Ariz. –Sergio Humberto Ramos, 73, of Nogales, was sentenced last week by United States District Court Chief Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Ramos pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, admitting that he was paid...

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 3-count superseding indictment last week against three defendants, charging them with a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. Alfredo Alvarez Sanchez, 37, and Raul Munoz Navarro, 54...

SAN FRANCISCO – Two drug dealers extradited from Honduras to San Francisco were sentenced to multiple years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses in the Bay Area. Jorge Viera-Chirinos, 35, was sentenced to 40 months in prison on March 5, 2025. Elmer Matute, 32, was sentenced to 36 months...