Mexican national pleads guilty to 15 pound methamphetamine deal in Kern County

A Mexican National has plead guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Oscar Ivan Salazar-Avalos, 28, a citizen of Mexico and his co-defendant Jose Manuel Sotelo-Mendoza, 26, of Ceres delivered 15 pounds of meth to an undercover officer in Delano after Salazar negotiated with the officer to sell the drug for $3,400 per pound. In pleading guilty, Salazar acknowledged that he and Sotelo had met his source of supply in Castaic.

Salazar is scheduled for sentencing on February 19, 2019. He faces a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, along with a $10 million fine.

Charges are pending against Sotelo. The charges against him are only allegations as he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.