The Orange County Sheriff’s Stanton Specialized Enforcement Team (SET) deputies rolled upon an occupied vehicle.
After learning the subject was on Federal Probation, the deputies conducted a search and discovered approximately six pounds of illegal narcotics and $4,000 in cash hidden on the subject and inside the vehicle.
Here are the criminal penalties the suspect may face under federal and California state law:
Federal Criminal Penalties (for Drug Trafficking & Probation Violation)
- Federal drug trafficking charge (assuming the narcotics are Schedule I/II substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, etc.)
- Possession of 6 pounds (~2.7 kg) exceeds the 500 g – 5 kg threshold, triggering a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison on a first offense.
- If this quantity meets a higher category under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B), the range remains 5 years to 40 years.
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Judges apply a base offense level based on drug quantity under the Sentencing Guidelines (U.S.S.G. §2D1.1), often resulting in substantial additional prison time depending on offense characteristics (e.g., role in distribution, weapon use).
- Federal probation violation
- Being on federal probation means committing a new felony offense (drug trafficking) constitutes a significant violation.
- This could lead to revocation of probation and imposition of the original sentence, plus additional penalties and court costs.