Trafficker and codefendant arrested with over 150 grams of heroin
SAN FRANCISCO - Steven Roberson was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for possessing heroin with intent to distribute the drug, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. On Jan. 30, 2019, Roberson’s codefendant, Kelly Olson, was sentenced to 64 months in prison for her role in the scheme. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, U.S. District Judge.
Roberson, 32, of Petaluma, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on Oct. 10, 2018. Olson, 29, also of Petaluma, pleaded guilty about a week later, on Oct. 18, 2018. According to the plea agreements, in January of 2018, law enforcement officers observed Roberson conducting hand-to-hand drug transactions with drug customers in the parking lot of a Safeway store in Petaluma. On Feb. 19, 2018, Roberson and Olson drove together to Sacramento to obtain heroin from a supplier. While the two were driving back to Petaluma, law enforcement officers stopped and eventually searched the car where, in the trunk, officers found heroin, digital scales, and plastic baggies. Both defendants admitted they knew there was heroin in the car and that they possessed it with intent to distribute it. In sum, 156.8 grams of heroin was found in the car.
On May 15, 2018, a federal grand jury handed down a two-count indictment charging each defendant with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, and 841, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. The defendants each pleaded guilty to the possession with intent to distribute count and the conspiracy charges were dismissed.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Chesney sentenced each defendant to serve a 5-year term of supervised release. Defendants currently are in custody and are beginning to serve their prison terms immediately upon sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Narayan is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, together with Petaluma Police Department
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
