Modestans among 10 indicted in federal drug trafficking case

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted 10 people, including three Modesto men, suspected of operating a drug trafficking ring that distributed methamphetamine and cocaine in Stanislaus, Sacramento, Sutter and Butte counties.

In the 25-count indictment, the defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine, distributing meth and unlawful use of a communication facility, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento announced Friday morning.

The defendants are: Vicente Velazquez, 42, of Modesto, Leonel Villa Lopez, 44, and Roberto Aguilar Navarro, 43, all of Modesto; Pedro Fuentes, 33, Arnulfo Sanchez, 39, Luis Alberto Fernandez Contreras, 27 all of Yuba City; Edwin Arambulo, 27, of Oroville; Jorge Vega-Macias, 24, of Sacramento; and Ivan Alcaraz, 23, and Victor Hernandez Sosa, 31, whose current city of residence is unknown to authorities.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a $10 million fine.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Modestans among 10 indicted in federal drug trafficking case."