United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Donald Henry Dugan, 55, of Nevada City, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin announced.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2014, task force officers served a state search warrant of Dugan’s residence that resulted in the seizure of over a pound of methamphetamine, along with various items associated with controlled substance distribution such as baggies, a funnel, and a digital scale. In addition, a loaded handgun and ammunition were found in a backpack underneath Dugan’s desk. Dugan was previously convicted of a state felony in 1997 for possession of a controlled substance while carrying a loaded firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew M. Yelovich is prosecuting the case.

Dugan remains in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on June 17, 2016. Dugan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five 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.