Daly City Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced To Ten Years In Prison

SAN FRANCISCO – Carlos Maturana was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Jerry A. Miller.  The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Judge.

Maturana, 26, of Daly City, pleaded guilty on January 31, 2018. He admitted that from June 6, 2016, through August 15, 2016, he participated in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Specifically, Maturana admitted that on June 8, 2016, he supplied his co-defendant, Juan Guillermo Estrada-Zapata, 28, of Daly City, with approximately one-half pound of methamphetamine.  Later that day, Estrada-Zapata sold that one-half pound of methamphetamine to an undercover DEA agent for $2,200.  Further, Maturana admitted that on August 3, 2016, he again supplied Estrada-Zapata with approximately one-half of a pound of methamphetamine.  Later that day, Estrada-Zapata again sold the one-half pound of methamphetamine to the undercover DEA agent for $2,200.

Maturana was arrested on August 15, 2016.  On that day, Maturana arranged to supply Estrada-Zapata with approximately three pounds of methamphetamine that was supposed to besold the undercover agent for $11,000.  Law enforcement authorities arrived at Maturana’s house prepared to execute a search warrant prior to the planned drug transaction.  The authorities saw Maturana walk from his house to his car while carrying a brown shopping bag and a black gym bag.  Authorities approached Maturana, searched the bags he was carrying, and executed the search warrant.  Authorities seized approximately seven and a half pounds of methamphetamine, a Bersa .45 caliber pistol loaded with a magazine containing six rounds of ammunition, approximately 62 grams of cocaine, almost $3,000 in cash, a Browning .40 caliber pistol, one loaded magazine containing seven rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, 12 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition, and almost 800 grams of marijuana.  

On May 4, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Maturana and Estrada-Zapata with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 United States, Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A) as well as substantive distribution charges.  Pursuant to his plea agreement, Maturana pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and the distribution charge was dismissed.  

In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer also sentenced Maturana to a five-year period of supervised release.  

Estrada-Zapata pleaded guilty on December 6, 2017, to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  On May 2, 2018, Judge Breyer sentenced Estrada-Zapata to two years in prison and a five-year term of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christiaan Highsmith is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Adria Trgovcich, Linda Love, and Theresa Benitez.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration Metro Task Force, the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force, and the San Francisco Police Department Narcotics Unit.