News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010
Contact: Casey McEnry
Number: 415-436-7994

Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced To 17 Years In Federal Prison

MAR 22 -- (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams, announced today that United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. sentenced CARLOS HERNANDEZ, 32, of Stockton, to 17 years in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. He pleaded guilty on January 5, 2010.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force (METRO), and the Stockton Police Department.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Bender and Jill Thomas, who prosecuted the case, HERNANDEZ stored approximately five pounds of crystal methamphetamine at a house located in Ernie Court, in Stockton, where his girlfriend and several children resided. The value of the methamphetamine was approximately $90,000 (wholesale) and was approximately 10,000 dosage units (.10 to .25 grams a dosage unit, higher number used for calculation). The drugs were found after the house was identified during a long term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation involving court ordered wiretaps. This investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest of approximately 20 other individuals who are being prosecuted in two separate cases.

Judge Damrell at sentencing stated that HERNANDEZ had earned his sentence by being engaged in the trafficking of large amounts of methamphetamine and by subjecting his children to the dangers associated with storing large amounts of illegal drugs at the house where they lived.

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