BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted two Georgia residents on charges of distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton.

A three-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges MICHAEL MONTOYA-AUSTRIA, 26, of Atlanta, and SERGIO ORTIZ, 31, a Mexican national living in Doraville, Ga., with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jefferson County between February and March. The indictment also charges both Montoya-Austria and Ortiz with possessing with intent to distribute that quantity of the drug on March 7.

The indictment charges Montoya-Austria with distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in St. Clair County on Feb. 27.

The penalty for each charge is 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $10 million fine.

DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Dimler is prosecuting.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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