United States of America v. Francisco Capado-Gonzales

Seattle, Washington criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin

Drug trafficker, with two prior convictions, sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin

A Mexican national, who has twice been convicted of drug trafficking, was sentenced for his third conviction to 70 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Francisco Capado-Gonzales, 39, has been in custody since his arrest in SeaTac, Washington, on October 19, 2023. Judge Kymberly K. Evanson imposed the 70-month sentence emphasizing the large amount of drugs in the case.



According to records filed in the case, in the fall of 2023, Capado-Gonzalez approached someone he believed would be a drug customer, who was actually a person working with law enforcement. Capado-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators claimed they could provide pound quantities of methamphetamine. On October 19, 2023, the person working with law enforcement was scheduled to pick up the drugs at a SeaTac motel. Instead, law enforcement arrived at the room. Capado-Gonzalez attempted to flee into a wooded area near the hotel but was arrested.



Capado-Gonzales was indicted by the grand jury on November 1, 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 6, 2024. This is Capado-Gonzalez third conviction for drug offenses. He was arrested and convicted in Las Vegas in 2007 with heroin and cocaine. In 2013 he was arrested and convicted a second time while possessing heroin and methamphetamine. He served a 41-month sentence.



In asking for an 84-month sentence, prosecutors emphasized that methamphetamine is present in many drug overdoses, writing to the court, "In 2023, 58% of all overdose deaths in King County involved methamphetamine.And here, Capado-Gonzalez had a leadership role in a conspiracy to distribute at least 44 pounds of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, as well as 542 grams of a mixture or substance containing heroin and 591 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine. Such quantities pose an increased danger to the community and warrant a heavier sentence...”



The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).



The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda McDowell and Michael Harder.



Contact

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney's Office is Communications Director Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.