SAN JOSE — Two men who operated a clandestine laboratory designed to convert liquidized methamphetamine into a crystalized form have been sentenced to multi-year stints in federal prison, court records show.
Mario Orozco was sentenced to five years in federal prison, while Teodoro Ayon-Ramos was given a four-year, three-month prison term. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila, court records show.
Both men were indicted in late 2020, and have been out of jail while their cases were pending. Davila gave Ayon-Ramos until June 20 to turn himself into prison, and Orozco has until July 5, according to the sentencing papers.
Ayon-Ramos’ lawyer wrote in court papers that his client had hoped to raise money for an ailing father who suffered from cancer, but added, “Mr. Ramos is not contending that his motive makes him less guilty of his crime.” Orozco’s lawyer described him in court papers as remorseful and “a hardworking family man, who is selfless, loyal, and dedicated to his family and friends.”
Federal authorities say that the two used a San Jose warehouse to convert liquidized methamphetamine — which is easier to illegally transport without police detection — into crystalized methamphetamine, making it sellable to drug users. The two were arrested during a federal investigation where an informant arranged to buy $3,500 worth of methamphetamine from them, prosecutors said.
Agents searched the warehouse in 2020 and found roughly 6.6 pounds of crystalized methamphetamine as well as 150 gallons of liquidized methamphetamine, according to court records.
Both men originally faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million. They pleaded guilty to methamphetamine distribution charges last year with the hope of receiving a shorter sentence.
Source: www.mercurynews.com