Related Content
Press Release
Press Release
SAN JOSE – Tuan Ngoc Nguyen was sentenced today to 160 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Beth Labson Freeman, United States District Judge.
Nguyen, 51, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to the charge on February 6, 2018. At his change of plea hearing, Nguyen admitted that between February 10 and February 17 of 2017, he conspired with others to sell a pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the DEA. The purchased substance was later tested and contained approximately 430.5 grams of 100% pure “crystal meth” (d-methamphetamine hydrochloride). On October 19, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment charging Nguyen with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841, and one count of distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. Nguyen pleaded guilty to both counts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman sentenced the defendant to a five-year period of supervised release. Nguyen has been in custody since his arrest and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Nguyen’s co-defendants Julio Camacho Pacheco and Quang Phuong Huynh pleaded guilty to their respective roles is the conspiracy on April 3, 2018, and September 4, 2018, respectively. On July 17, 2018, Judge Freeman sentenced Pacheco to 140 months in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. On December 11, 2018, Judge Freeman sentenced Huynh to 120 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Harris prosecuted the case with the assistance of Tong Zhang. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA.