Third Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty To Large Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

FRESNO, Calif. – Miguel Marquez, 29, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, on October 22, 2014, agents arrested Luis Alfonso Mendivil Jr., 23, of Riverside, and Jonathen Leyva, 28, of Rialto after Mendivil and Leyva drove to Marquez’s residence from the Los Angeles area to deliver a shipment of crystal methamphetamine. Agents seized $30,630 from Mendivil and Leyva’s vehicle and approximately 2.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and a firearm from inside Marquez’s home. At a nearby location, officers seized a stolen fully loaded machine pistol, approximately 1.9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and a scale. Marquez admitted that the seized methamphetamine, the stolen firearm, and drug paraphernalia were all his and that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute to others.

Mendivil and Leyva both previously pleaded guilty to use of an interstate facility to aid racketeering. Earlier this month Leyva and Mendivil were each sentenced to five years in prison. All three defendants agreed to the criminal forfeiture of the $30,600 in seized currency as proceeds of their illegal drug activity.

Marquez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2015. Marquez faces a statutory penalty faces of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison. The actual sentence, however, will 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.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Kern County High Intensity Drug Task Force (HIDTA). Assistant United States Attorney Brian Delaney is prosecuting the case.