Little Rock, Arkansas – Gilberto Pedraza Contreras has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison following his guilty plea for drug trafficking charges. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, after the sentencing by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
Details of the Sentence and Charges
In a hearing held yesterday, Judge Rudofsky handed down a sentence of 135 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. This sentence comes after Contreras faced potential maximum penalties that could have included life imprisonment, a minimum of five years supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. It’s important to note that there is no parole in the federal system, meaning Contreras will serve most, if not all, of the sentenced time.
Gilberto Pedraza Contreras, a 37-year-old resident of Michoacan, Mexico, was indicted on July 6, 2022, by a federal grand jury. His charges included one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of distribution and possession of a controlled substance. On October 30, 2023, Contreras entered a guilty plea to the conspiracy charge.
The Arrest and Evidence
The case against Contreras stemmed from an operation on June 15, 2022, when Drug Enforcement Administration agents targeted him for planning to distribute 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. During the operation, agents strategically blocked Contreras’s vehicle to prevent a potential pursuit. After Contreras collided with an agent’s vehicle, he was promptly arrested.
Also read: Arkansas drug traffickers sentenced after guilty pleas in federal court
A search of Contreras’s vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Further investigations included executing a search warrant at his residence, where agents found an additional 5 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Investigation and Collaboration
The successful apprehension and prosecution of Contreras were the result of a coordinated effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, Arkansas State Police, and Little Rock Police Department. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat methamphetamine distribution in Arkansas and across the United States.
