Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced To Fifteen Years In Prison

OAKLAND – Jeffery Andrew Sardell was sentenced today to fifteen years in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent In Charge Ryan L. Spradlin.  The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge James Donato following a guilty plea entered by the defendant last year.

Sardell, 29, of Hayward, pleaded guilty on December 14, 2015, to possessing two firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to the plea agreement, Sardell admitted that on January 22, 2015, he knowingly possessed approximately 340 grams (net weight) of methamphetamine in his residence, packaged for distribution in 12 separate one-ounce baggies.  Sardell also admitted that in furtherance of his drug trafficking, he was carrying a loaded .22 caliber firearm in his car, and possessed a second loaded .45 caliber firearm inside his residence near his methamphetamine stash. 

Sardell was charged by a federal grand jury in a Superseding Indictment returned on August 27, 2015.  He was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g); possession with intent to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).

According to filed court documents, Sardell was arrested in January of 2015, after a parole search.  The search, conducted by Hayward Police officers, yielded more than $1,700 in cash on Sardell’s person, loaded firearms in his car and house, and methamphetamine, packaging materials, and a scale in his bedroom.  At the time of the search, Sardell already was on parole following an assault conviction, as well as on probation for possessing methamphetamine for sale.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco Field Office, and the Hayward Police Department.