Tucson AZ Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine, Marijuana Distribution

Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that ISMAEL COBIAN MENDOZA, age 42, of Tucson, Arizona, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).

The charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The defendant was indicted in November, 2014.

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 3, 2014, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance and less than fifty (50) kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.

The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.

The statutory range of punishment is 10 years up to life imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000,000.00 fine. The defendant will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.