Mexican National Sentenced To Federal Prison For Marijuana Trafficking

More than 100 lbs of marijuana, cash, gun and bulletproof vest seized by authorities.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jesus Alvarado-Aboyte, 31, of Mexico was sentenced today to four years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced.  Alvarado-Aboyte previously pleaded guilty in August of 2013 to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.  On March 5, 2013, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Avery Street in Parkersburg where Alvarado-Aboyte was living.  Police located and seized approximately 104 pounds of marijuana, $26,323, a .40 caliber pistol, a bullet-proof vest, and digital scales along with packaging materials used for distributing marijuana from the residence.  Alvarado-Aboyte waived his Miranda rights and admitted that he had been distributing marijuana in and around Parkersburg for several months leading up to March of 2013.  Police also seized and forfeited a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle, a 2004 Ford F150 pickup truck, and a 2002 Mercedes Benz C240 which Alvarado-Aboyte acknowledged were purchased with drug money or used to facilitate drug offenses.

The Parkersburg Police Department, Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force, and Dept. of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks handled the prosecution.