California Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison

HAMMOND- Renato Salazar-Lopez, age 34, of San Ysidro, California, was sentenced to 135 months in prison before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, following his conviction by a jury of possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. 

According to evidence presented at his November 2, 2020 jury trial, a Hobart police officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Renato Salazar-Lopez on Interstate 90 near the Portage Toll Plaza.  During a search of the vehicle, police recovered approximately 4.8 kilograms of heroin in the trunk.   

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Hobart Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath.