Alvaro Hector Martinez of Perris was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Jan. 17 for intending to distribute 43 pounds of pure methamphetamine.
Martinez had pleaded guilty to the charges in June 2023.
Martinez was charged following a sting operation, after he sold 872 kilograms of methamphetamine to an informant in February 2021.
Martinez was acting as a middle-man between a Mexican drug provider and the informant.
The next month, the informant called Martinez again and asked for 40 pounds of methamphetamine, two kilograms of heroin and 5,000 fentanyl pills. Martinez agreed.
Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies stopped his car, in which they found 34 pounds of methamphetamine. At his house on Perris’ Spring Street, they found 19 more pounds of methamphetamine, a Sturm, Ruger & Co. rifle, a Stoeger pistol, a Hispano Argentina De Automotives pistol and an entire methamphetamine lab, according to the affidavit against him.
He had previously been convicted for grand theft and possession of a firearm by a felon in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Case information
Case No. 5:2022cr00147
Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Elbogen prosecuted.
Isabel Bussarakum defended.
California Central District Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha presided.
Read the affidavit here.
Read the plea agreement here.
