United States of America v. Jesus Orlando Ortiz-Gonzalez and Sergio Guadalupe Ortiz-Gonzalez

Denver, Colorado criminal lawyer represented Defendant charged with distributing illegal narcotics.



Jesus Ortiz-Gonzalez, a/k/a Chuy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine. Jesus Ortiz-Gonzalez sent a courier to California to transport drugs back to Colorado. Ortiz-Gonzalez orchestrated two drug load pick-ups in California, providing instructions to the courier of what to say and where to pick-up the drugs. On December 15, 2020, along Interstate 70 in Utah, a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper observed the courier's rental car commit a traffic violation and he initiated a traffic stop. The traffic stop led to the discovery of nearly 60 pounds of methamphetamine and over 4 pounds of fentanyl disguised as heroin.



Sergio Ortiz-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. According to the plea agreement, from January 6, 2021, to February 2, 2021, Sergio Ortiz-Gonzalez entered into an agreement with a co-defendant to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Additionally, on March 19, 2021, he sourced approximately 13 pounds of methamphetamine and provided it for re-distribution to a co-defendant. Colorado State Troopers, working with the DEA, stopped the co-defendant's vehicle and seized the methamphetamine.



On August 26, 2022, Chief U.S District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer sentenced Jesus Ortiz-Gonzalez to 200 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Judge Brimmer sentenced Sergio Ortiz-Gonzalez to 158 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.



"We appreciate the dedication of the DEA agents who work diligently to try to prevent these illicit drugs from making their way onto our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. "I certainly hope drug dealers take note that we will prosecute and hold them accountable for distributing drugs in our neighborhoods.”



This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.



This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.



21 U.S.C. § 846 (Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute: (1) 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (fentanyl), a Schedule I controlled substance; and (2) 50 grams and more of methamphetamine (actual), a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi), and (b)(1)(A)(viii))

(5s)

08/26/2022 205 COURTROOM MINUTES for Sentencing held on 8/26/2022 as to defendant Jesus Orlando Ortiz-Gonzalez before Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer. ORDERED: Defendant's Motion for a Downward Variance from Advisory Guidelines Range Sentence 172 is GRANTED IN PART, as stated on record. Government's Motion for Additional One-Level Downward Adjustment for Acceptance of Responsibility Under U.S.S.G. §3E1.1(b) 177 is GRANTED. Defendant sentenced as reflected on the record. Court Reporter: Janet Coppock. Interpreter: Bety Ziman. (sgrim) (Entered: 08/26/2022)