Home Minneapolis Press Releases 2010 California Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in Minnesota
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in Minnesota

U.S. Attorney’s Office October 13, 2010
  • District of Minnesota (612) 664-5600

Yesterday, the last of three California men pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to conspiring to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine in the Twin Cities in early 2010. Just before the start of his jury trial before United States District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery on October 12, 2010, Cesar Ernesto Rivas, age 40, of Sacramento, California, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Rivas was indicted, along with his two codefendants, on March 18, 2010.

Those co-defendants pleaded guilty in April of 2010 to one count of conspiracy. Brandon Sanchez Gonzalez, age 19, of San Diego, California, pleaded guilty on April 26; and Phonesy Sydathong, age 41, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty on April 19.

In their respective plea agreements, the defendants admitted that from January 1 through February 27, 2010, they conspired to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine in the Twin Cities. According to an affidavit filed in the case, authorities arranged a controlled purchase of the drug from Sydathong at a restaurant in Bloomington on February 26, 2010. At the restaurant, police learned that Rivas was the source of the methamphetamine.

Delivery of the drugs was scheduled to occur the next day in the parking lot of a Wendy’s restaurant in St. Paul. At the arranged time and place, officers saw Gonzalez enter the lot by car and meet up with Rivas and Sydathong. The defendants then drove together to a St. Paul apartment, where the transaction occurred. Once the methamphetamine was handed over, all three men were arrested. The methamphetamine, when tested, was 100 percent pure. For their crimes, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. Judge Montgomery will determine their sentences at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian S. Wilton.

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