California Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WALTER ALVAREZ TIRADO (“TIRADO”), age 34, a resident of Chula Vista, California, was sentenced on May 21, 2024, to 144 months imprisonment, 5 years supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  TIRADO previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).

According to court documents, on October 6, 2021, TIRADO traveled from Kentucky and bound for New Orleans to deliver fifty pounds of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of TIRADO’s vehicle in Pearl River, La.  Following the stop, officers searched TIRADO’s luggage and discovered fifty pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Financial Crimes Unit.