Man from Mexico Charged with Methamphetamine Offenses

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a man from San Jose, Mexico, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Heriberto Navarro Ortiz, age 32, was indicted on December 4, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 7, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that beginning no later than November 17, 2018, Ortiz knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The Indictment also alleges that on November 22, 2018, Ortiz knowingly possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The charges are merely accusations and Ortiz is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

Ortiz was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.