Sacramento Man Indicted for Methamphetamine Trafficking

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Anthony Coates, 28, of Sacramento, charging him with distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Coates distributed 1 pound of methamphetamine in March 2024 and 3 pounds of methamphetamine in April 2024.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the High-Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Coates faces a maximum statutory penalty for each count of 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 charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.