FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment charging Modesto resident Luis Miguel Villalobos, 19, with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, on March 23, 2012, a traffic stop and subsequent search revealed that Villalobos possessed 6 ½ pounds of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute concealed in the vehicle.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney is prosecuting the case.

Villalobos is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, September 14, 2012 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Beck. If convicted, Villalobos faces a maximum statutory penalty 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 defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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