Kern County Traffic Stop Leads To Federal Indictment
FRESNO, Calif. - A federal grand jury in Fresno returned an indictment today charging Enrique Reynosa, 36, of Calexico, with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine following a California Highway (CHP) traffic stop in Kern County, according to Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce C. Balzano and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner.
Court documents indicate that Reynosa was stopped on Highway 99, south of State Route 119, for a traffic violation. Six pounds of methamphetamine and eight pounds of cocaine were found inside the car after Reynosa provided consent to search the vehicle.
If convicted, Reynosa faces 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. 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.
Reynosa is scheduled for arraignment on the indictment on February 19, 2013, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe.
The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.