Joint Investigation Leads to Drug Trafficking Sentence
2010-09-28 · By Editor
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Augustin Jaime Lopez-Ceballos was sentenced today to serve 181 months in prison after his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. United States District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller, who imposed the sentence, previously ordered Lopez-Ceballos to forfeit his interests in ten firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and ammunition that were seized in connection with the offense.
The sentence imposed on Lopez-Ceballos resulted from an investigation begun in 2008 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the East County Regional Gang Task Force. The investigation identified Lopez-Ceballos as a methamphetamine distributor operating out of Spring Valley, California. According to court documents, Lopez-Ceballos used conspirators, including a juvenile, as couriers to distribute methamphetamine in east San Diego County.
Lopez-Ceballos is the final defendant to be sentenced from this investigation. The court previously sentenced co-defendants Dianne Lynn Pinal to serve 48 months in prison; Rafael Gaspar-Alvorado to serve 48 months in prison; and Felipe de Jesus Lopez-Lopez to serve 30 months in prison.
Case Number 09CR0879JM
DEFENDANTS
Agustin Jaime Lopez-Ceballos Age: 39
Dianne Lynn Pinal Age: 41
Rafael Gaspar-Alvarado Age: 27
Felipe de Jesus Lopez-Lopez Age: 24
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, 841
Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841
Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense, Title 18 United States Code, Section 924(c)
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Southeast Narcotics Team
East County Regional Gang Task Force
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