Two Oxnard Men Plead Guilty to Trafficking Pounds of Methamphetamine
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Mario Garcia (DOB 11/13/80), of Oxnard, pled guilty to five felonies: transporting more than four kilograms of methamphetamine to a non-contiguous county; possessing for sale more than four kilograms of methamphetamine; selling more than one kilogram of methamphetamine while out on bail in another case; possessing heroin for sale; and preparing false documentary evidence.
Garcia was investigated by the Ventura Combined Agency Team (VCAT) who intercepted Garcia’s telephone communications during two separate wiretap investigations. Garcia was identified as a United States-based coordinator responsible for the storage and distribution of large quantities of narcotics that were transported into the United States by a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO). The investigations led to the seizure of more than 90 pounds of methamphetamine, more than two pounds of heroin, more than two pounds of cocaine, and approximately $43,000.
One of the DTO’s narcotics couriers, Jesus Zeferino-Hernandez (DOB 12/25/82), of Oxnard, also pled guilty to transporting more than four kilograms of methamphetamine to a non-contiguous county.
Sentencing for Garcia is scheduled April 10, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., and Zeferino-Hernandez’s sentencing is scheduled April 9, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Based on Garcia’s guilty pleas, it is expected that he will be sentenced to 22 years in state prison, and it is anticipated that Zeferino-Hernandez will be sentenced to eight years local custody. Both have been remanded to the custody of the Sheriff without bail until sentencing.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
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