Central Valley Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 26 Years In Prison

SAN FRANCISCO – Manuel Gonzalez Chavez, aka Manuel Gonzalez Cobain, was sentenced today to 26 years in prison for his involvement in a heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable James Donato, U.S. District Judge. 

Gonzalez Chavez, 40, a citizen of Mexico, formerly of Stockton, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charges on November 9, 2017.  As part of his plea agreement, Gonzalez Chavez acknowledged that he participated in a conspiracy to traffic heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.  Gonzalez Chavez admitted that he bought and sold heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and that he distributed these controlled substances to his customers.  Gonzalez Chavez also admitted that he directed at least one other person to act as his courier and to pick up or drop off controlled substances or the proceeds of drug sales on his behalf.

In sentencing Gonzalez Chavez, U.S. District Judge James Donato characterized the drug conspiracy in this case as a “massive and very destructive conspiracy” that trafficked drugs “in mercenary fashion” and “effectively poisoned” the community.  Judge Donato declared that he was “particularly troubled” by the fact that Gonzalez Chavez had previously been convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and acted in this case “as if that [prior] conviction meant nothing.”  Judge Donato also declared that the “intersection of drugs and firearms [is] particularly pernicious.”  

Gonzalez Chavez was arrested on October 13, 2015.  As part of his plea agreement, he admitted that on the day before his arrest, October 12, 2015, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at his residence in Stockton, Calif.  At the time authorities entered Gonzalez Chavez’s home, he was actively packaging cocaine for distribution.  Authorities’ search of Gonzalez Chavez’s residence resulted in the total seizure of approximately 5.2 kilograms of heroin, approximately 1.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, and approximately 4.2 kilograms of cocaine.  

Law enforcement found heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine throughout Gonzalez Chavez’s house.  For example, the heroin, some of the methamphetamine, and some of the cocaine was found under the bathroom sink.  In Gonzalez Chavez’s living room, authorities found additional cocaine and, in the living room closet, a .40 caliber Taurus PT100 pistol loaded with ammunition.  In the kitchen, authorities found three digital scales, packaging materials, additional methamphetamine, more than one kilogram of cocaine, and bullets.  In the backyard, authorities found approximately 1.8 kilograms of cocaine.  In one of the bedrooms, authorities found a .38 caliber revolver and an Air Soft pistol.  Authorities also seized approximately $43,500 in cash.  Gonzalez Chavez admitted as part of his plea agreement that he knew the $43,500 represented the proceeds from drug sales.

On November 19, 2015, a federal grand jury indicted Gonzalez Chavez and twelve co-defendants for various crimes related to the scheme.  The grand jury charged Gonzalez Chavez with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1), and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).   Pursuant to his plea agreement, Gonzalez Chavez pleaded guilty to both charges.  In addition to the 26-year prison term, Judge Donato sentenced Gonzalez Chavez to a 3-year term of supervised release.  The defendant has been in custody since his arrest on October 13, 2015. 

Gonzalez Chavez’s sentence brings to 12 the number of defendants sentenced as part of the conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in this case.  All of Gonzalez Chavez’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty.  During the course of this investigation, law enforcement seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 65 pounds of cocaine, more than 11 pounds of heroin, more than $1,200,000 in cash drug proceeds, and approximately twelve firearms.  
 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith, Sheila Armbrust, Katie Burroughs Medearis, and Gregg Lowder are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, the Concord Police Department, and the IRS Criminal Investigations.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.