Prolific Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 years for Distributing Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
SAN DIEGO – Christopher Craig Jones, a prolific drug dealer in San Diego County, was sentenced in federal court to 120 months in prison.
On December 16, 2020, San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop and arrested Jones for possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute. Then again, on September 8, 2021, Carlsbad Police Department (CPD) arrested Jones during a traffic stop with possession of fentanyl and heroin with intent to distribute.
Subsequently, Jones was booked into county jail and immediately posted bail. However, less than 24 hours later and wasting no time in returning to criminal drug activity, on September 9, 2021, CPD conducted a third traffic enforcement stop on Jones, which resulted in the seizure of additional methamphetamine. The follow-up investigation, pursuant to a search warrant at the Best Western Hotel in Carlsbad, where Jones had been staying, resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Jones, a career offender, with arrests and multiple convictions for drug dealing, entered a guilty plea on May 16, 2022.
“Because of the great police work of our local counterparts, the immeasurable harms that would have been caused by the distribution of drugs in our community were prevented by the arrest and prosecution of Christopher Jones,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe. “The DEA ensures our local counterparts receive support on investigations that merit federal prosecution. This case is a prime example of the great working relationship between local and federal agencies in San Diego.”
“At the Carlsbad Police Department, we methodically investigate illegal narcotic possession and illegal narcotic sales with the mission of protecting the community we serve. We take pride in collaborating with our local partners at the DEA, the San Diego Sheriff's Dept and the U.S Attorney’s Office with the common goal of reducing the negative impact brought on by these offenders,” said Assistant Chief Christie Calderwood. “This case is a great success for the agencies involved and the community," she concluded.
“Keeping our communities safe from illegal narcotics and their associated crimes is a continuous mission for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department,” said Anthony C. Ray, Sheriff. “I am grateful to our deputies and detectives who assisted on this case, as well as our robust collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners. This allows us to share critical information that is necessary to hold drug traffickers accountable, as was exemplified in this case.”
“This is a just sentence for the defendant and reflects the need to protect our community from fentanyl and methamphetamine dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We will continue to work closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure that prosecutions involving these deadly drugs remains a top enforcement priority.”
AGENCIES: United States Attorney’s Office; Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
