FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
October 3, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10CR0379-01 AWI

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Guillermo Diaz, aka Joaquin Beltran, aka Daniel Morales, 24, of Arvin, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to grow marijuana in the Sequoia National Forest.

            According to court documents and proceedings, Diaz transported and supplied materials and equipment to a marijuana grow site in the Sequoia National Forest with approximately 4,375 marijuana plants.  This area had been used by other marijuana cultivators in the past.   It cost taxpayers $4,093 to clean up the trash, water lines, and other items at the site, and there will be additional cost to restore the land to its natural state. Diaz was ordered to pay restitution to the government.

            This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Land Management, the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, the Bakersfield Police Department, and the Taft Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.

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