United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, CA - Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging James Harlan Peters, 38, of Acampo, with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, and one count of cultivating more than 100 marijuana plants.

This case is a product an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Paul A. Hemesath is prosecuting this case.

According to the indictment, on September 6, 2011, Peters was found to be in possession of firearms and ammunition after having been convicted of felony offenses in 1999, 2000, and 2008. Peters is alleged to have also cultivated marijuana plants in Acampo and elsewhere.

If convicted, Vega faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 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.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.