Stockton Men Charged With Drug-Trafficking
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today charging Edwin Malo-Vergara, 50; Aurelio Ruben-Bulgin, 25; and Jose Junez-Ramirez Sr., 46, all of Stockton, with drug trafficking, Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce C. Balzano and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
The indictment alleges that Malo-Vergara and his nephew, Ruben-Bulgin, sold heroin and conspired to sell 10 pounds of methamphetamine in April and May of this year. It further alleges that Malo-Vergara and Junez-Ramirez conspired to sell, and sold, methamphetamine in December 2011 and January 2012.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task (METRO), and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Michele Beckwith is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
