News and Press Releases

United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner
Eastern District of California

Stockton and Vellejo Men Indicted on Firearms and Drug Trafficking Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
 

May 12, 2011

PHONE: (916) 554-2706

 

www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae

usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that
federal grand juries in Sacramento returned two indictments today charging three men with
illegal possession of firearms, firearms trafficking, and drug trafficking.

United States v. Michael Anthony Hernandez, et al., Docket # 2:11-mj-00115


Michael Anthony Hernandez, 25, of Stockton, was charged with trafficking machine guns
and methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that on July 12, 2010 and again on January 19,
2011, Hernandez possessed and sold illegal fully automatic machine guns. According to court
documents, Hernandez was arrested on April 19, 2011, in possession of an AK-47 style assault
rife and nine ounces of crystal methamphetamine.

Indicted with Hernandez was Jesus Rodriguez Garibay, 24, of Stockton. The indictment
alleges that Garibay assisted Hernandez with the April 19 methamphetamine deal in Stockton.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives and the Sacramento Police Department.

If convicted, Hernandez and Garibay face a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in
prison on the drug charges and up to 10 years in prison on the gun charges.

United States v. Anthony Curtis Cavaness, Docket # 2:11-mj-00122

Anthony Cavaness, 59, of Vallejo, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine. The
indictment alleges that Cavaness distributed crack cocaine in February 2009 and was caught in
May 2011 with crack cocaine for sale. According to the indictment, Cavaness is a repeat offender
who was previously convicted of four drug trafficking felonies.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe
Streets Task Force and the Vallejo Police Department.

If convicted, Cavaness faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The actual
sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any
applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into
account a number of variables.

Assistant United States Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting both cases. The charges are
only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt.

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