FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
July 22, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-339-LJO

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Juan Chavez-Martinez, 33,of Dinuba, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

According to the plea agreement, between April 1, 2010 and July 26, 2010, Chavez-Martinez and others cultivated marijuana in Tulare, Madera, and Fresno Counties. Two of the marijuana grow sites were on federal land in Fresno County: Soaproot Saddle and Ross Crossing. Chaves-Martinez admitted that his offense involved 12,942 marijuana plants, and more than two pounds of marijuana seeds were found at his residence when he was arrested on July 26, 2010.

This is the latest conviction stemming from Operation Trident, a multi-agency marijuana enforcement effort in Madera, Fresno, and Tulare Counties in 2009 and 2010 that was coordinated by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Investigating agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Forest Service, Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, the Sheriff's departments of Madera, Fresno, and Tulare Counties, and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Operation Trident resulted in the eradication of approximately 663,898 marijuana plants, primarily from public lands in the Sierra foothills and mountains, and the federal prosecution of 88 individuals. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney is prosecuting the case.

Chavez-Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on October 14, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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