May 03, 2010
12 DEFENDANTS PLEAD GUILTY TO DRUG, GUN CHARGES FOLLOWING JOINT FEDERAL-STATE INVESTIGATION IN SALINAS
SAN JOSE– 12 defendants have pleaded guilty in federal court in San Jose to charges stemming from the 2008 “Operation Money Train” law enforcement initiative in Salinas, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.
“Operation Money Train” was an 11-month undercover investigation targeting suspects trafficking in methamphetamine, illegal firearms and stolen vehicles in and around the Salinas area. The joint law enforcement effort included officials and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the Salinas Police Department (SPD), the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) – Santa Cruz County Narcotic Enforcement Team (SCCNET), and prosecutors from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office in San Jose.
During the course of the “Operation Money Train” investigation, agents recovered 57 stolen vehicles with an approximate value of $500,000. The undercover investigation successfully purchased 25 firearms, and four additional firearms were recovered. Agents purchased, or seized, approximately 1,361 grams of crystal methamphetamine; approximately 180 grams of heroin; and approximately 320 grams of cocaine. The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of more than $1.4 million.
To date, 12 defendants have pleaded guilty, as described in the following paragraphs. 11 have been sentenced. Details of the guilty pleas and sentencing hearings are described below:
BENJAMIN STEPHEN BALTAZAR
On April 26, 2010, Baltazar pleaded guilty to two counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b), in a plea agreement which contained a joint recommendation of a stipulated 8-year sentence. The case is set for sentencing on July 19, 2010 before United States District Judge Ronald M Whyte in San Jose.
MISAEL SOLORIO
On October 26, 2009, Solorio was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
MIGUEL ANGEL MARTINEZ URIBE
On December 7, 2009, Uribe was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5), and illegal entry into the United States following deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
FELIPE MOLINA
On December 14, 2009, Molina was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment for distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
JOSE FRANCISCO RUIZ ACOSTA
On January 11, 2010, Acosta was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
LUZ ZAZUETA LOPEZ
On January 11, 2010, Lopez was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
ALEJANDRO NICOLAS PADILLA PALOMARES
On January 11, 2010, Palomares was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5).
FREDERICA RODRIGUES
On February 1, 2010, Rodrigues was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
JAQUELINA RAMIREZ
On February 1, 2010, Ramirez was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment for use of a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b).
PABLO RIOS
On February 8, 2010, Rios was sentenced to 140 months imprisonment for distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
DAVID CERVANTES, JR.
On March 1, 2010, Cervantes was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
DAVID GUZMAN
On March 1, 2010, Guzman was sentenced to 92 months imprisonment for distribution of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.
Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Thomas M. O’Connell is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Tracey Andersen.
Further Information:
Case #:
Benjamin Stephen Baltazar CR 09-00694
Misael Solorio CR 09-00490
Miguel Angel Martinez Uribe CR 09-00421
Felipe Molina CR 09-00491
Jose Francisco Ruiz Acosta CR 09-00454
Luz Zazueta Lopez CR 09-00647
Alejandro Nicolas Padilla Palomares CR 09-00420
Frederica Rodrigues CR 09-00458
Jaquelina Ramirez CR 09-00647
Pablo Rios CR 09-00454
David Cervantes, Jr. CR 09-00455
David Guzman CR 09-00426
A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.
Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.
All press inquiries to the U.S. Attorney’s Office should be directed to Jack Gillund at (415) 436-6599 or by email at Jack.Gillund@usdoj.gov.
This site does not contain all press releases or court filings and is not an official record of proceedings. Please contact the Clerk of Courts for the United States District Court for official copies of documents and public information.
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