West Sacramento man indicted for transporting 85 pounds of meth on I-5 faces life term
A West Sacramento man was indicted in federal court Thursday for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two weeks after a California Highway Patrol officer discovered 85 pounds of the drug in his trunk during a traffic stop.
Simeon Hernandez-Ortiz, 24, was pulled over Feb. 6 while heading north through Stanislaus County on Interstate 5, according to a news release by U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott.
“Based upon the officer’s subsequent investigation, the vehicle was searched and the officer found 85 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in the trunk,” a Department of Justice news release said, citing court documents.
A federal grand jury indicted Hernandez-Ortiz on one count. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine, but the defendant’s actual sentence will be at the court’s discretion.
The case was investigated by the CHP and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
