U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero | U.S. Department of Justice
Diego Castillo-Pedraza, a 35-year-old resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in methamphetamine trafficking. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero and handed down by United States District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. Castillo-Pedraza's sentence includes five years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
The investigation began in July 2019 when FBI agents intercepted a package containing approximately six pounds of pure methamphetamine sent through the U.S. mail from California to a residence in Reading. This discovery occurred during a wiretap investigation that identified Castillo-Pedraza as the orchestrator behind the shipment.
Further evidence against Castillo-Pedraza was uncovered in March 2021 when Berks County Detectives executed a search warrant at the same residence. They recovered about two pounds of methamphetamine from a safe within a bedroom, with fingerprint analysis linking Castillo-Pedraza to the drug packaging.
In April 2023, he was indicted on charges including possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. A jury convicted him on September 19, 2024, after a three-day trial that revealed his role in directing others to assist with his drug trafficking operations.
U.S. Attorney Romero stated, "For several years, Castillo-Pedraza profited by selling methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous drug that’s plagued communities nationwide, including Reading." She emphasized that removing him from the streets contributes to community safety.
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, remarked on the broader impact: “We have seen the devastating impact methamphetamine has across our country, and there is no place for it in our cities.” He credited the sentence to an extensive investigation led by dedicated law enforcement personnel.
The case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program and involved collaboration between the FBI and Berks County Detectives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.
