RENO, Nev. - A Reno man was sentenced Monday to 222 months in federal prison for selling methamphetamine in a motel parking lot and possession of a semiautomatic handgun, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.
Ronald Robinson, 49, was sentenced by United States District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 162 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 60 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He pleaded guilty to the criminal charges in September 2017.
According to information in the plea agreement, on Sept. 19, 2017, detectives with the Street Enforcement Team were conducting surveillance at the Reno Royal Motel due to numerous complaints of drug activity. Detectives observed Robinson carrying a fanny pack-type bag and meeting several people in the motel parking lot. Detectives observed Robinson drive away and he was subsequently stopped after committing a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, Robinson reached for a.40 caliber pistol that was holstered on his right hip
A K9 police dog alerted detectives to drugs in the car. Inside the fanny pack, detectives found a plastic bag with approximately 91 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, used drug-packing baggies, and a ledger. During an interview with law enforcement, Robinson admitted to purchasing the firearm two hours before the traffic stop. He also admitted that he had three to four ounces of methamphetamine in the car and that he typically payed $275 per ounce for the methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Street Enforcement Team consisting of the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department, and the University of Nevada; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
