January 21, 2023 - FRESNO, Calif. — Rene Guadalupe Quintero Meza, 38, of Strathmore, pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between Oct. 25, 2019, and Jan. 24, 2020, Meza conspired with co-defendant Basilio Chavez Jr., 44, of Porterville, and others, to distribute methamphetamine. A law enforcement source negotiated to buy a pound of methamphetamine from Meza and Chavez delivered the methamphetamine. A subsequent search of a residence associated with Meza recovered an additional 6 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.

A jury trial for Chavez is scheduled for July 11, 2023. The charges against him are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Meza is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 10, 2023. Meza faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Source: DOJ Release