Vallejo Man Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Lionel Ornelas, 62, of Vallejo, was sentenced today to 15 years and eight months in prison by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, between June 20, 2017, and Dec. 19, 2017, Ornelas conspired with Tony Acosta Alvarez, 29, to distribute and possess methamphetamine. Ornelas had previously been convicted of felony drug offenses in Solano County in 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013. On July 26, 2019, Ornelas pleaded guilty and admitted that he was responsible for 1,068 grams of methamphetamine purchased during an undercover operation. In addition, on July 20, 2017, Ornelas sold a .380 handgun to the confidential informant.

On Sept. 24, 2019, Alvarez was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelli L. Taylor prosecuted the case.