BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment Thursday against Jose Soto, 35, of Lamont, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Soto was arrested today at his home on those charges.
According to court documents, on May 5, 2016, Soto possessed over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and over 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, which he possessed for sale at his residence in Lamont.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kern County Probation Department. Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Soto faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.