FRESNO, CA - United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner and Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams, announced that a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today charging Gerardo Norzagaray-Pereda, 31, of Mexico, and Armando Sanchez-Ornelas, 23, of Phoenix, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.
The indictment alleges that on Jan. 26, 2011, the defendants conspired with others to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. A total of 24 pounds of heroin and one and a half pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a vehicle occupied by the defendants after a traffic stop on Highway 99 in Fresno County.
This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Elana Landau is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million. 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.
The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
