Man Charged in Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Hector R. Chavez, aka Pablo Chavez, age 55, with addresses in San Diego, California, and Far Rockaway, New York, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today.

Count 1 of the indictment charges that from on or about February 1, 2009, until on or about December 8, 2010, the defendant conspired with others to traffic in drugs, specifically, cocaine, and to transport the narcotics from California to Ohio for ultimate sale and distribution.

Chavez possessed more than five kilograms of cocaine for distribution and sale, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The matter was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Linda H. Barr.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.