FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Docket #: 2:12-cr-00276-GEB

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Luis Miguel Garcia-Chavez, 30, and Bernardo Gonzalez, 26, both citizens of Mexico, with growing marijuana on public land, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, the defendants were growing marijuana plants on federal land in the Trinity-Shasta National Forest in Trinity County. They were arrested on July 23, 2012 at the site.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The actual sentence, if convicted, 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 defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

####

 

Return to Top