Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
An indictment has been unsealed in Fresno, California, charging Jesus Magana Mellin, also known as "Compadre," a 34-year-old resident of Merced, with multiple drug trafficking offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the charges which include possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Court documents reveal that between October and November 2022, Magana Mellin allegedly conspired with others to traffic large quantities of controlled substances within California and beyond. A joint investigation by federal, state, and local authorities led to search warrants being executed on two storage units linked to Magana Mellin's operation. The search uncovered 160 gallons of liquid methamphetamine, 158 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 14 kilograms of heroin, 7 kilograms of cocaine, and 40 grams of fentanyl pills. Three associates—Vanessa Arauza, Pedro Duarte Sanchez, and Luis Higuera Lopez—have already been charged and convicted in connection with this case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is handling the prosecution.
If found guilty, Magana Mellin could face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison up to life imprisonment and a fine of $10 million. Sentencing would be at the court's discretion based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that the charge is an allegation; Magana Mellin remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach. More information about OCDETF can be accessed at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Additionally, this case falls under Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program initiated in July 2018 by the Justice Department to combat synthetic opioid distribution in critical areas across ten federal districts including the Eastern District of California.
