A Riverside County man, Alvaro Hector Martinez, 33, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha in Los Angeles.

Martinez pleaded guilty in June 2023 to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. His arrest followed an incident in February 2021 when he sold approximately 872 grams of methamphetamine under the direction of a Sinaloan drug trafficker.

In March 2021, law enforcement stopped Martinez's vehicle and discovered 35 packages containing around 15.4 kilograms (34 pounds) of pure methamphetamine intended for distribution. A subsequent search at a residence linked to Martinez uncovered five containers holding about 8.5 kilograms (18.7 pounds) of methamphetamine, along with three firearms and 38 rounds of ammunition.

Martinez admitted during his plea agreement that he knowingly possessed the firearms and ammunition despite being legally prohibited due to previous felony convictions for grand theft and possession of a firearm by a felon in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2014.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney Amanda B. Elbogen from the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section prosecuting the case.