Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty To Murdering Two Men Over Stolen Profits

SAN DIEGO – Roberto Ochoa of Tijuana pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he slashed the throats of two fellow drug traffickers whom he believed had stolen methamphetamine and cocaine proceeds from their organization.

Ochoa entered a guilty plea to two counts of an Intentional Killing during the course of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw.

Ochoa was indicted in November 2011 along with a dozen others who were accused of drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. To date, eight have pleaded guilty, including Ochoa. Seven have been sentenced. Two are fugitives; the other cases are pending.

According to court records, in December 2011, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents initiated an investigation into a San Diego-based narcotics distribution cell. During the course of the investigation, agents identified a number of people that worked for this cell, including the defendant Roberto Ochoa.

On October 19, 2012, the defendant and others interrogated Hector Gonzalez and Rodolfo Robles at a home located on Multnomah Ct., in San Jacinto, California, about the theft of narcotics proceeds.

At this time, the defendant and another individual used knives to cut the throats of Gonzalez and Robles. Gonzalez and Robles died as a result of their wounds. On November 9, 2012, Riverside County Sheriff’s Officers responded to this address in order to conduct a welfare check and discovered the two bodies.

Sentencing was set for June 6, 2014, at 9 a.m. before Judge Sabraw.

DEFENDANT		Case No. 12CR4711-DMS
Roberto Ochoa	Age: 35	Tijuana, Mexico
CHARGES
Count 1: Title 21, United States Code, , Section 848(e)(1)(A) Intentional Killing during the course of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code. Maximum penalties include:  Life imprisonment or death and a mandatory minimum 20- year sentence; maximum $2 million fine; mandatory special assessment of $100 per count and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Count 2: Title 21, United States Code, , Section 848(e)(1)(A) Intentional Killing during the course of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code. Maximum penalties include:  Life imprisonment or death and a mandatory minimum 20- year sentence; maximum $2 million fine; mandatory special assessment of $100 per count and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Administration Federal Bureau of Investigation Homeland Security Investigations
*Indictments and complaints are not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged.  All defendants are presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.