Taking Methamphetamine To Delivery Service Earns Modesto Man 46 Months In Federal Prison; Money Courier From Turlock Sentenced To 12 Months In Same Case

FRESNO, Calif. — Armando Mendoza, 21, a Modesto resident, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to 46 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and Guillermo Paredes, Jr., 26, a Modesto resident, was also sentenced today by Judge O’Neill to 12 months in custody for conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Mendoza and Paredes were involved with methamphetamine trafficking from Modesto to Hawaii.  On August 8, 2012, Mendoza took a package containing approximately 1 ½ pounds of methamphetamine to a shipping facility for delivery to Hawaii.  Law enforcement intercepted that package.  On August 16, 2012, Paredes and a companion were arrested at the Honolulu airport while waiting for a return flight to California.  Paredes had about $42,000 cash concealed on his person and in his luggage while his companion had about $29,000 cash similarly concealed.  Law enforcement seized that cash.  

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency and the Modesto Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney prosecuted the case.

Remaining defendants Miguel Leontapia, Eduardo Leon, and Gilberto Leon are scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2015, before Judge O’Neill.