Anthony Coates, Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2024

Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

Anthony Coates, a 28-year-old resident of Sacramento, California, has pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

According to court documents, Coates distributed 1 pound of methamphetamine in March 2024 and 3 pounds of methamphetamine in April 2024, putting numerous lives at risk in the community.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from members of the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Citrus Heights Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid is prosecuting the case, and Coates is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2025, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez.

Coates faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The distribution of methamphetamine is a serious offense that not only puts the lives of users at risk but also perpetuates a cycle of addiction and violence in our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations, bringing those responsible to justice.

Coates’ guilty plea is a significant step forward in holding him accountable for his actions, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely as the case moves forward.

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