Tulare County Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing Over 3 Pounds of Methamphetamine
FRESNO, Calif. — Alma Sanchez, 50, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced.
According to court documents, Sanchez distributed methamphetamine on two occasions to a co‑conspirator, who then immediately resold the methamphetamine. On June 16, 2021, Sanchez distributed 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, and on Jan. 31, 2022, he distributed 2 pounds of methamphetamine.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coalinga Police Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, the Tulare County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Unit (HIDTA), and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.
Sanchez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on May 30, 2023. Sanchez faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will 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.
