Drug Dealer Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison For Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine And Heroin, Money Laundering

SAN FRANCISCO – Jonathan Ponce was sentenced yesterday to a total of 72 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, international money laundering, and money laundering conspiracy.  Senior U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen handed down the sentence.

Ponce, 34, a U.S. citizen who previously resided in Mexico and in the South Bay, was initially charged by complaint on Aug. 21, 2019, and by indictment on Aug. 29, 2019, on the drug charges.  He was separately indicted by a federal grand jury on June 24, 2021, on the money laundering charges.  

On Nov. 14, 2024, Ponce pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, five counts of international money laundering, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.  According to court documents and proceedings, Ponce sold or arranged for others to sell on his behalf approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.6 pound of heroin over the course of 13 drug deals.  He also laundered over $30,000 in funds obtained from illegal activity by sending the proceeds to Mexico via money services businesses using false information.

Ponce has remained in custody since his arrest and was remanded into custody following sentencing.  In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Chen ordered Ponce to serve five years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Yeh prosecuted the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA.