Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A Riverside County man, Javier Rodriguez, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking operation. The Justice Department announced the sentencing of Rodriguez, who played a significant role in an organization that trafficked methamphetamine from Mexico into the Inland Empire.
United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal delivered the sentence to Rodriguez, aged 57, on Monday. Rodriguez is affiliated with the Casa Blanca Rifa street gang based in Riverside and had previously pleaded guilty to eight felonies on March 18. These charges included conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine, conspiracy to import methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for distribution, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and attempted international promotional money laundering.
The investigation targeting the Casa Blanca Rifa gang aimed to address drug trafficking and related violence in Riverside and its surrounding areas. From April 2020 until August 2020, Rodriguez and others acquired large quantities of methamphetamine from suppliers in Mexico as well as Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Prosecutors indicated that Rodriguez also conducted drug trafficking activities from his mother's residence.
Law enforcement seized over 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of methamphetamine and $31,035 in cash during this investigation. In May 2020, Rodriguez was found with 150 rounds of ammunition despite being prohibited from possessing it due to six prior felony convictions for various crimes including drug dealing and burglary.
Rodriguez is the last of 16 defendants sentenced in this case. The lead defendant, Timoteo Gomez, received a sentence of 21 years in federal prison on May 6 after pleading guilty to his involvement in the conspiracy. Other defendants received sentences ranging from two to twelve years.
The FBI’s Inland Empire Safe Streets Task Force led the investigation with contributions from several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration; IRS Criminal Investigation; Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; Riverside Police Department; San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and United States Marshals Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Eli A. Alcaraz prosecuted the case under the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
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