Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Sentenced on Drug Charges

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that today United States District Judge Thomas J. Whelan sentenced former correctional officer Matthew Gutierrez to serve 15 months in custody and three years’ supervised release based on his conviction for attempt to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.

At the time of his arrest, Gutierrez was a correctional officer at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in San Diego. Court documents indicate Gutierrez arranged with a confidential informant to purchase approximately 11 ounces of what he believed was cocaine; in fact, the substance was inert. The attempted possession by Gutierrez came after he had negotiated the cocaine purchase with the confidential informant in the weeks leading up to the attempted deal. Gutierrez entered a guilty plea in November 2010.

United States Attorney Duffy praised the coordinated effort of the multi-agency San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force-Gang Group, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Diego Police Department that contributed to this investigation.

Case Number: 10CR3925-W

DEFENDANT
Matthew Gutierrez
Age: 34
San Diego, California

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Attempt to Possess Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.

AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
San Diego Police Department