Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Feds Charge Wasco State Prison Guard in Drug Conspiracy
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
June 26, 2019

Share

A Wasco State Prison guard and a Minnesota man have been charged with trying to buy 40 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 4 pounds of cocaine.
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged Joseph Andrade of Bakersfield and Leonard Velazquez-Martinez of Minnesota with conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute them.
If convicted, they could each face up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.
They were arrested Monday in Kern County. It’s unclear whether they have attorneys.

Allegedly Tried To Buy Drugs From Undercover Officer

Authorities say the men tried to buy the drugs from someone they believed was a drug supplier but who was an undercover law enforcement officer.
According to a Department of Justice news release, Andrade drove a vehicle registered to him, and Velazquez occupied the front passenger seat. Velazquez directed the undercover officer’s attention to a grocery bag containing money, which was on the passenger-side floorboard of the vehicle. The defendants were subsequently arrested.
Their arrests stemmed from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Scott is prosecuting the case.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Confirm Seizure of Suspected Getaway Car in Caleb Quick Murder

DON'T MISS

Dyer Doesn’t Use Veto on Controversial Smoke Shop Ordinance

DON'T MISS

Fresno Fire Displaces Two After Faulty Appliance Sparks Blaze

DON'T MISS

Real Estate Remains Top Investment Choice Amid Market Volatility

DON'T MISS

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Trump From Shuttering Three Federal Agencies

DON'T MISS

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

DON'T MISS

Columbia University Lays off Nearly 180 Researchers Due to Trump Funding Cuts

UP NEXT

Dyer Doesn’t Use Veto on Controversial Smoke Shop Ordinance

UP NEXT

Fresno Fire Displaces Two After Faulty Appliance Sparks Blaze

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

UP NEXT

Ravens Release Justin Tucker After Accusations by Massage Therapists of Inappropriate Behavior

UP NEXT

Draymond Green’s Vow to Keep His Cool Helps Warriors Advance to in West Semis

UP NEXT

Ian Happ Homers as the Cubs Beat the Sloppy Giants

UP NEXT

That One Place Provides a Unique Karaoke Experience and Is ‘Good for the Soul’

UP NEXT

Hanford Toddler Critical After Accidental Gunshot, Police Arrest Relative

UP NEXT

The Valley is Driving California’s Economic Growth

Real Estate Remains Top Investment Choice Amid Market Volatility

2 hours ago

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

3 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

3 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump From Shuttering Three Federal Agencies

3 hours ago

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

3 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

4 hours ago

Columbia University Lays off Nearly 180 Researchers Due to Trump Funding Cuts

4 hours ago

Almost Half of Gazans Willing to Leave, Survey Finds

5 hours ago

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Threatens Texas City Over Pro-Palestinian Resolution

5 hours ago

Anti-Israel Boycott Bill Withdrawn from Congressional Vote

6 hours ago

Clovis Police Confirm Seizure of Suspected Getaway Car in Caleb Quick Murder

The Clovis Police Department said Tuesday that a white Tesla Model 3 towed in Fresno is possibly connected to the killing of Caleb Quick, 18...

25 minutes ago

25 minutes ago

Clovis Police Confirm Seizure of Suspected Getaway Car in Caleb Quick Murder

1 hour ago

Dyer Doesn’t Use Veto on Controversial Smoke Shop Ordinance

A faulty appliance sparked a fire at a Fresno home Tuesday, May 6, 2025, displacing two residents but causing no injuries. (Fresno FD)
1 hour ago

Fresno Fire Displaces Two After Faulty Appliance Sparks Blaze

2 hours ago

Real Estate Remains Top Investment Choice Amid Market Volatility

3 hours ago

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

Terry Lee Jackson is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for May 6, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
3 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

The U.S. flag, a judge gavel and a vintage scale are seen in this illustration taken August 6, 2024. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
3 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump From Shuttering Three Federal Agencies

3 hours ago

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend