United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FRESNO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Fresno residents Armando Perez, 50, and Christian Sandoval, 22, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
 
According to court documents, on April 9, 2015, Perez provided an undercover officer with approximately one ounce of methamphetamine. On April 21, 2015, Perez provided the undercover officer with approximately one pound of methamphetamine. On May 7, 2015, Sandoval drove Perez to a meeting with an undercover officer, and Perez provided the officer with approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF is a program that facilitates joint investigative work by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Perez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $35 million fine. Sandoval is facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.