United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment today against Kenneth Tam, 53; Gerald Osborne, 56; Sherlynn Charles, 52; Marco Antonio Borja, 38; Adalberto Valenzuela-Ruiz, 30; and Nelson Gutierrez, 26, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.
 
According to court documents, in January 2014, a seven-month investigation began after law enforcement received reports that Tam was trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Sacramento, Yolo, and El Dorado Counties. Tam acquired large amounts of methamphetamine from Borja, Valenzuela-Ruiz, and Gutierrez, as well as heroin from other sources, and used sub-dealers, including Osborne and Charles, to distribute those drugs on his behalf. Through controlled purchases, searches, and other law enforcement activity, investigators seized over nine pounds of methamphetamine and nearly two pounds of heroin.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. McCoy is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Kenneth Tam and Gerald Osborne face sentences of 20 years to life in prison and a $20 million fine. The four remaining defendants each face 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. 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.