SAN JOSE - Ricardo Rios-Angulo, aka Ricardo Perez-Lopez, was sentenced today to 220 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Beth Labson Freeman, United States District Judge.
Rios-Angulo, 33, of Fresno, pleaded guilty to the charges on June 19, 2018. At his change of plea hearing, Rios-Angulo admitted that on three occasions between May 2016 and April 2017, he conspired with others to sell over 21 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the DEA. The purchased substances later were tested and contained approximately 8,842.3 grams of 100% pure “crystal meth" (d-methamphetamine hydrochloride). During searches of Rios-Angulo’s two residences in Fresno, DEA agents found cocaine, heroin, and additional methamphetamine. In total, Rios-Angulo possessed over 12,875 grams of 100% pure “crystal meth," over 107 grams of cocaine, and over 1 gram of heroin. Agents also found a Cobra.380 caliber handgun, a loaded Springfield Armory 1911.38 caliber handgun, an AR-style assault rifle without a serial number with two high-capacity magazines, and various ammunition, including.380 caliber,.38 caliber, and.32 caliber bullets.
On May 4, 2017, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rios-Angulo with three counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. Rios-Angulo pleaded guilty to all six counts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman sentenced the defendant to a five-year period of supervised release. Rios-Angulo has been in custody since his arrest and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Rios-Angulo’s co-defendant Sergio Antonio Padilla-Lopez also pleaded guilty today. Judge Freeman scheduled Padilla-Lopez’s sentencing hearing for June 18, 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Simeon prosecuted the case with the assistance of Tong Zhang. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
