Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that an Anchorage man was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for the crimes of drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
David Alan Gonzales, 55, originally from Santa Ana, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to 120 months’ imprisonment.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Bradley, Gonzales conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine. This case arose when the United States Postal Inspection Service identified a suspicious package at their processing center on March 26, 2013. The package, which contained 52 grams of actual methamphetamine, had been sent to Anchorage from Anaheim, California. Gonzales and his co-defendant, Albert Diaz Gumataotao, accepted delivery of the package on March 28, 2013. Though Gonzales was residing in Anchorage at the time of this offense, he has significant ties to the State of California, where he has lived most of his life. Gonzales was convicted by a federal jury in July of this year. Gumataotao pled guilty on November 6, 2013, to one count of drug trafficking conspiracy and was also sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Gleason noted a need to promote respect for the law, as well as a need to deter the defendant and others from committing similar crimes. Judge Gleason also focused on protecting the public and avoiding disparity in sentences.
Ms. Loeffler commends the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gonzales and Gumataotao. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley is a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who is funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
