Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a California resident was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Juneau for attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Gilbert Vasquez Jr., 40, from Salinas, California, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to 60 months in prison followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, the charges arose from a joint investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Alaska State Troopers (AST), who intercepted a Priority Express Mail parcel containing methamphetamine that was addressed to the defendant. USPIS secured a federal search warrant for the parcel, which contained 113 gross grams of methamphetamine and an electronic scale. On Sept. 11, 2014, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel to Vasquez, and he was subsequently arrested. During the investigation, Vasquez admitted that the parcel was intended for him and that he knew the parcel contained methamphetamine which he intended to sell/distribute to others. A search of the defendant’s residence revealed drug paraphilia, baggies for the distribution of controlled substances and a drug ledger.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Burgess emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter the defendant and others, as reasons for imposing the 60 month sentence.
Ms. Loeffler commends the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Alaska State Troopers for the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
