Mexican National Found at Massive Merced County Marijuana Cultivation Operation Sentenced for Firearm Charge

FRESNO, Calif. — Roberto Carlos Leon-Garcia (Leon), 49, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for being in possession of a firearm while being in the United States without lawful status, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Nov. 5, 2018, Leon was encountered during the execution of a federal search warrant related to a marijuana grow in Dos Palos. Leon indicated he resided on the property, which was leased by someone else. Inside his residence, agents found a New England Westinghouse rifle, along with three 7.62 mm caliber rounds that Leon was not authorized to possess because he did not have lawful status in the United States. Leon had previously been removed from the United States to Mexico on three occasions.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Chowchilla Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.