Hayward Resident Sentenced To More Than Ten Years For Drug Trafficking

OAKLAND – Joseph Daniel Sandoval was sentenced to 130 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Rayfield Roundtree.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, U.S. District Judge.

Sandoval, 34, of Hayward, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on November 5, 2019.  According to the plea agreement, Sandoval admitted to possessing 917.6 grams (approximately two pounds) of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drugs.  Sandoval also admitted to possessing items related to drug trafficking, including $3,200 cash, a digital scale, and two boxes of clear plastic baggies.  

A criminal complaint was filed on August 26, 2019, charging Sandoval with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).  An information was later filed on September 12, 2019, charging Sandoval with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in the information. 

According to the complaint, the Gang Suppression Unit of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Sandoval for suspected drug trafficking in June 2019.  At the time, Sandoval had two outstanding warrants for his arrest.  On July 31, 2019, the Gang Suppression Unit traced Sandoval to a room at the Quality Inn in Hayward, California, where he was arrested.  Law enforcement seized 917.6 grams of methamphetamine, one digital scale, two boxes of clear plastic baggies, $3,200 cash, and one taser in connection with the arrest.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White sentenced Sandoval to a three-year period of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term.  Sandoval will begin serving his federal sentence in April 2020 after he finishes serving a separate, unrelated sentence in Santa Clara County. 

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Briggs is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske and Katie Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.