U.S. Indicts 5 on Drug Charges
Two San Diego County men were among five people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Atty. William Braniff reported Friday.
Ricardo Iniguez Becerra, 31, of Vista, Ramon La Valle-De Casas, 21, of San Marcos, Pedro Pichardo Fuentes, 34, of Corona, and Sergio Maldonado-Mandujano, 30, of Corona, were all charged with conspiracy to manufacture and possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a statement released by the U.S. attorney’s office, Southern District of California.
The fifth defendant, Pablo Valdovinos, 38, in addition to the drug-related indictments, was charged with the use and carrying of a firearm during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime.
If convicted of the drug charges, each defendant faces 10 years-to-life imprisonment and a fine up to $4 million. Valdovinos could also face an additional 5-year sentence if convicted of the firearm charge.
The three-count indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the San Diego Integrated Narcotics Task Force of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
