FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Friday, December 14, 2012
Docket #: #: 1:12-cr-429-AWI BAM

FRESNO, Calif. — Cesar Ramirez Baez, 52, of Fresno, was arrested Thursday for methamphetamine distribution, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court records, on December 6, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment against Baez, charging him with distributing 500 or more grams of methamphetamine. The indictment was unsealed when Baez was taken into federal custody. He is scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Fresno.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Fresno and Arizona, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Yasin Mohammad is prosecuting the case.

“Methamphetamine is a vicious drug that destroys lives, devastates communities, and seriously compromises the public’s security and well-being,” said Mike Prado, resident agent in charge of ICE HSI Fresno. “Those who believe they can bring this dangerous substance into our midst without consequences are sadly mistaken.  HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice”

If convicted, Baez faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would 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 charge is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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