Republished May 06, 2016 - 7:24 AM
Original Publication Date May 06, 2016 - 1:50 AM
HAGATNA, Guam - A former Guam Office of Homeland Security employee has pleaded guilty to charges that he conspired to have a package of methamphetamine mailed to the office.
Ricky Sanchez, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to distribute meth as part of a plea deal that could get him a lesser sentence, The Pacific Daily News reported (http://bit.ly/1T1wW9L). Sanchez resigned from his position on April 22, according to Jenna Gaminde, Homeland Security spokeswoman.
Court documents say Sanchez's friend had arranged for another man, Francisco Arias, to send Sanchez a package to the Homeland Security office in 2014. The package was intercepted by a postal inspector, who allegedly found more than 27 grams of meth inside.
Authorities later determined that a second package was sent to the office and Sanchez received it.
During an interview with a postal inspector in March 2014, Sanchez said he had never met Arias and had only talked to him on the phone, according to documents. Sanchez allegedly admitted he was supposed to get a payment of up to $1,000 for receiving the package, but he said he did not remember who he was supposed to give the meth to.
Sanchez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison or a $1 million fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, he could get a lesser sentence if the government determines he has fully co-operated in the investigation. Sanchez has also agreed to testify at the trials and hearings for others involved in the case.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016