News and Press Releases
Two St. Paul men plead guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court, two St. Paul men pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Jesus Giovanni Gaxiola-Guevara, age 22, and Martin Fidencio Gutierrez-Alarcon, age 28, specifically pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine. The defendants, who were indicted on June 12, 2012, entered their pleas before United States District Court Judge John R. Tunheim.
In their plea agreements, the men admitted that from February of 2012 through May 16, 2012, they conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine. Gaxiola-Guevara obtained the drug from suppliers in Mexico and then passed it on to mid-level distributors in the Twin Cities, including Gutierrez-Alarcon.
On May 15, 2012, Fergus Falls police stopped Gaxiola-Guevara for a traffic violation. He consented to a search of his vehicle, where the officers found $74,980. Later that day, during the execution of a search warrant at Gaxiola-Guevara’s residence, police seized 897.1 grams of methamphetamine, two handguns, two digital scales, drug notes, and numerous money transfer receipts. The following day, during the execution of a search warrant at Gutierrez-Alarcon’s residence, police discovered 337.4 grams of methamphetamine and three digital scales.
For their crimes, the men face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. Because the federal system does not have parole, the defendants will serve virtually their entire prison sentences behind bars. Judge Tunheim will determine their specific sentences at a future hearing, not yet scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Paul Police Department, with assistance from the Fergus Falls Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.
