FRESNO, Calif. - Natalie Middleton, 30, of Clovis, pleaded guilty today to laundering proceeds from the sale of synthetic drugs, commonly known on the street as “spice,” Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin announced. “Spice” refers to a...

FRESNO, Calif. - Patrick Mara, 36, of Bakersfield, a former detective with the Bakersfield Police (BPD), pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between June 14, 2012, and October 2013...

FRESNO, Calif. - Luis Fernando De La Rocha-Carlon, 26, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin and Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert jointly announced the plea. According to...

FRESNO, Calif. - Walter Watts Jr., 47, of Madera, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to 2 ½ years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in...

SAN FRANCISCO - Kia Zolfaghari, King Edward Harris II, and Candelaria Dagandan Vazquez were named in a federal criminal complaint alleging that they conspired to run an illegal fentanyl pill manufacturing operation out of an apartment in the Sunset District of San Francisco, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch...

FRESNO, Calif. - Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, pleaded guilty today to bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Michael Deshone Mathews, 42, of Elk Grove, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to 11 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Charles Connor, 35, of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Troy L. Nunley to six years and six months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement...

FRESNO, Calif. - Timothy New, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty today to shipping in interstate commerce, with intent to defraud, misbranded synthetic drugs, commonly known as “spice,” Acting United States Attorney Philip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin announced. According to court...

SAN FRANCISCO - Northern California and Central Valley residents turned in 26,333 (13 tons) of prescription drugs during DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Nationwide, Americans turned in more unused prescription drugs than on any of the previous 10 events since it began in 2010, demonstrating their understanding of the...