Kevin Michael Cruz Sentenced To More Than Nine Years In Federal Prison In On Methamphetamine And Gun Charges

United States Attorney ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI),announced today that defendant KEVIN MICHAEL CRUZ was sentenced by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the United States District Court, to one hundred and eleven (111) months imprisonment for the offenses of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.  After defendant serves his term of imprisonment, he will be placed on supervised release for three (3) years for the conspiracy count, followed by five (5) years for the firearm offense.  He is also  required to perform community service, pay a $200 special assessment fee, and attend a substance abuse program.

On September 4, 2012, local and federal Marshals were searching for fugitive KEVIN MICHAEL CRUZ who was wanted for a warrant of arrest.  Marshals discovered CRUZ hiding in a motel room at the Palm Ridge Inn in Barrigada Guam.  CRUZ was armed with a .9 millimeter Encom America handgun, nine rounds of ammunition, a .22 caliber Savage shotgun, a M-84 stun grenade, and a detonator.  He was also in possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride.  CRUZ admitted that he used the firearm, which he referred to as a “machine gun,” to protect his drug distribution business.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco states “Firearms and drugs is a potentially deadly combination.  Armed drug dealers present a huge risk to innocent civilians and law enforcement officers. Those who use firearms to protect their illegal activities must know that they will face long prison sentences.” U.S. Attorney Limtiaco also states “Methamphetamine has been linked to an increase in violent crimes and results in devastating effects to individuals and to the community.  Those who engage in the criminal importation, receipt and sale of this illegal drug will be prosecuted and face severe penalties.”

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Initiative, a nationwide commitment to aggressively prosecute defendants who engage in drug distribution, gang involvement and violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco commends the investigative efforts of the Marshals with the United States Marshals Service and the Superior Court of Guam, as well as Special Agents Darren Massin and Aaron Joseph with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).