Two Colorado men are facing serious charges after being found in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and three guns in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Billy Torrez, age 23, and Joshua Cruz, age 29, were indicted by a federal grand jury on December 4, 2018, for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
The charges relate to Torrez and Cruz being found in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and three guns on November 21, 2018, after attempting to flee in a vehicle. They were quickly apprehended by the Rapid City Police Department.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity, and firearms are often used by drug dealers to protect their illegal drug product and cash. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to enforce their illegal operations.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Torrez and Cruz are currently detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
The maximum penalty for the charges is a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a minimum of 4 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer for everyone. The charges are merely accusations, and Torrez and Cruz are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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