December 16, 2011
WELD COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE
DENVER – Victor Rangel, age 59, of La Salle, Colorado, was sentenced to serve 14 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and ATF Special Agent in Charge Marvin Richardson announced. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger on November 28, 2011. Following his prison sentence, Judge Krieger ordered Rangel to serve 5 years of supervised release.
Rangel was first charged by Criminal Complaint on April 14, 2011. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 5, 2011. He pled guilty before Judge Krieger on August 23, 2011. He was sentenced on November 28, 2011.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, during the course of an investigation into the distribution of dangerous drugs in the Greeley area, an ATF confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Victor Rangel. During some of these purchases Rangel had a firearm at his side. In total, Rangel sold or possessed with the intent to distribute over 932 grams of methamphetamine, with some of it being 99 percent pure. At the conclusion of the investigation, on April 20, 2011, law enforcement agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), together with law enforcement officers with the Greeley Police Department and the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, executed a federal search warrant at Rangel’s residence. Agents and officers found a loaded .22 caliber handgun underneath the mattress of the defendant’s bed. The handgun was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, with one round in the chamber. Rangel had a shotgun in his bedroom as well, although he stated the shotgun belonged to his son. Law enforcement also found 427.8 grams of 99.7 percent pure methamphetamine in the dog kennel in the defendant’s bedroom. They also found 275.6 grams of 89 percent pure methamphetamine in a sugar jar in the kitchen. A safe was also found in Rangel’s bedroom, which contained $2,450.00 in U.S. currency.
“The mission of the ATF is unwavering,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marvin Richardson. “We will continue to fight violent crime by investigating and partnering in the prosecution of those who seek to reduce the quality of life in our communities. ATF will continue our great collaboration with the state, local and federal partners who are similarly dedicated to this mission.”
This case was investigated by the ATF, the Greeley Police Department and the Weld County Sheriff, with cooperation from the Weld County District Attorney’s Office.
Rangel was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Bergsieker and James Hearty.
####
