FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
March 29, 2012	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #:

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today charging Francisco Aguilar-Alvarez aka Vitoque, 28; Eduardo Barragan-Hernandez, 22; and Artemio Cervantes-Hernandez. 43; all of Modesto, with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and conspiracy.

            According to the indictment, in March 2012, the defendants conspired to obtain and sell methamphetamine. And on March 21, 2012, the defendants possessed over 500 grams of methamphetamine that they intended to sell.

            This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Stanislaus County Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney is prosecuting the case.

            If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty for methamphetamine trafficking 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.

            The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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