Garrett Scott Wheelen, a 33-year-old resident of Fresno, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to possessing over 500 grams of methamphetamine. This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on May 1, 2024, Wheelen attempted to disguise his identity by wearing a facemask, baseball cap, and hoodie as he approached the Federal Correctional Institution Mendota. In daylight, he threw four packages into the prison's recreation yard before being apprehended while trying to escape. The packages contained more than three pounds of methamphetamine. At the time of this incident, Wheelen was already under supervised release following a previous federal felony charge.
The investigation leading to Wheelen's arrest was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in collaboration with the Mendota Police Department and the Bureau of Prisons. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Dhruv M. Sharma.
Wheelen's sentencing is set for May 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Dena M. Coggins. He could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine; however, the final sentence will be determined based on statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.