HECTOR CASTELLANOS-CERRATO, 33, of Seattle, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison and five years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine and Distribution of Crack Cocaine. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones told him, “When you return back to your country, please tell others who are thinking about the desire to come here, with the opportunity to sell illegal drugs, thinking this is a way to obtain a lavish lifestyle – let them know, there are grave consequences they face.”

CASTELLANOS-CERRATO was arrested on April 30, 2009, following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Seattle Police Department into multiple sales of crack cocaine. When agents and officers served an arrest warrant on CASTELLANOS-CERRATO’s apartment in the 6700 block of 24th Avenue NW, they recovered thousands of dollars and more than two kilos of crack cocaine. CASTELLANOS-CERRATO and his co-defendant Leiva-Gamoneda were taken into custody as they counted cash at a table in the apartment. As part of his sentencing CASTELLANOS-CERRATO forfeited $5796 to the government.

CASTELLANOS-CERRATO was charged in King County, Washington in 2007, for drug distribution, but fled to Honduras to avoid prosecution. He returned illegally to the U.S. and resumed drug trafficking. He likely will be deported following his prison term.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Seattle Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyn Johnson.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.

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