SAN FRANCISCO – Jesus Moises Rochin-Huerta is charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations Tatum King and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux.

An affidavit filed in the case by an agent of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alleges that Rochin-Huerta was caught with the drugs yesterday while driving on Highway 880 in San Jose.  According to the affidavit, Rochin-Huerta’s car had no front license plate and tinted front windows when a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer pulled him over for the traffic violations.  The CHP officer allegedly observed that Rochin-Huerta was acting nervously and was in possession of two cell phones and so decided to conduct an open-air sniff of the defendant’s car with a K-9.  After the dog gave a positive alert, the CHP officer found two black duffle bags containing drugs in the trunk of the car.  Specifically, in the black bags were 58 packages of a white crystalline substance that was further wrapped in plastic, vacuum-sealed bags.  The white substance tested positive for methamphetamine.  Rochin-Huerta was arrested as a result of the traffic stop.

According to the affidavit, the combined weight of the substance in the trunk of Rochin-Huerta’s car amounts to approximately 66.4 pounds having an approximate wholesale value of between $72, 000 and $81,000.  

Rochin-Huerta is charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). 

Rochin-Huerta will make his initial federal court appearance at 1:30 p.m., on January 31, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins.     

If convicted, Rochin-Huerta faces a minimum statutory penalty of ten years imprisonment and a maximum statutory penalty of up to life in prison.  A term of supervised release, fines, forfeitures, and restitution also may be ordered, however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. 

The complaint contains allegations only and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Griswold is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Leung.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI with assistance from the DEA, Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force, and California Highway Patrol.