A resident of Santa Rosa has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Jossue Omar Gonzalez, aged 46, pleaded guilty on August 6, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute nearly six kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos imposed the sentence of 168 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. During the hearing, evidence was presented regarding Gonzalez's extensive criminal history, which includes two prior federal convictions for similar offenses. Judge Ramos emphasized the severity and repetitive nature of Gonzalez's actions while delivering the sentence.
The case originated on October 22, 2023, when Jonathan Anthony Lopez from Rio Hondo was stopped at the Sarita checkpoint driving a red Mitsubishi Mirage. A K-9 unit detected drugs in the vehicle, leading authorities to find nearly six kilograms of cocaine hidden behind the rear seat.
Further investigation connected Gonzalez to these cocaine bundles. Authorities also discovered a video showing Gonzalez purchasing packaging material for the drugs in the same red Mitsubishi just one day before Lopez's arrest.
Lopez had also pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 120 months in prison earlier.
Gonzalez remains in custody and will be transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility soon. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with assistance from Border Patrol, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.