Bakersfield Man Indicted for Drug and Gun Offenses

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Fabian Rodriguez, 35, of Bakersfield, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition and for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Rodriguez was found in possession of three boxes of 9 mm ammunition after having been previously convicted of crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. Rodriguez was also found in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with other items typically employed in the sale of controlled substances.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chan Hee Chu is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition, Rodriguez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine offense, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 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.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.