January 6, 2023 - FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment on Thursday against Arturo Marquez, 45, of Bakersfield, charging him with possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of three firearms, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, after executing a search at Marquez’s residence in Bakersfield, officers uncovered thirteen firearms, large quantities of ammunition and approximately 936 grams of methamphetamine. Marquez has felony convictions for previously possessing firearms and is therefore prohibited from possession firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Arin C. Heinz is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Marquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. This charge also carries a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence. If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Marquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: DOJ Release