<p>Man receives 16 years, 4 months in state prison for possessing 65 pounds of methamphetamine with intent to sell</p>

Defendant Edgar Ortega-Aguilar, 39 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert Laforge to serve 16 years, 4 months at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after pleading no contest in August of this year to charges of felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Specifically, Ortega-Aguilar was found to have been in possession of over sixty-five pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to sell.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch stated, “This sentence reflects the danger posed by dealers moving large amounts of illegal narcotics. Our families and friends are at risk when these drugs hit the street. We will always advocate for and support substance abuse treatment.  But we will also advocate for significant consequences for drug peddlers.”

The charge resulted from a search warrant served at the Santa Rosa residence of Ortega- Aguilar earlier this year. Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department discovered over sixty-five pounds of methamphetamine locked in a safe within the residence. The methamphetamine was packaged in eighteen, gallon-sized, zip-lock bags. Over twenty-three thousand dollars in US currency was also seized and subsequently forfeited to the state.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Thomas M. Gotshall.  Detective Patrick Albini of the Santa Rosa Police Department headed the investigation.