San Manuel, Arizona, Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Distribution

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Juan Alberto Chavez, age 43, of San Manuel, Arizona, entered a guilty plea to Possession With Intent To Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), punishable by not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000,000.00, or both. 

The Indictment alleges that on or about April 17, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  

Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Heatherman represented the United States.