News Release [printer-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2009
For Information Contact,
Special Agent Ramona Sanchez
Public Information Officer
(602) 664-5725

Southern Ariz. Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for
Marijuana Charges
Over 100 Pounds of Marijuana Seized

JAN 13 --TUCSON, Ariz. –  Manuel Adolfo Valle-Celaya, 48, of Sahuarita, Ariz., was sentenced today to 12 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins. Valle-Celaya pleaded guilty on September 8, 2008, to conspiracy to distribute over 1000 pounds of marijuana.

The indictment was the result of a court authorized wiretap investigation conducted here in Arizona and in the Northern District of Ohio. The charges were based on a load of 1000 pounds of marijuana that was seized in Ohio, and recorded conversations between Valle and other co-defendants regarding the sale and delivery of marijuana to New York, Florida and Ohio.

Judge Collins also imposed a five year period of supervised release to be served following the conclusion of Valle-Celaya’s prison sentence.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Cynthia R. Wood, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

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