Custodio Ibarra Nunez, 42, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Marijuana Cultivation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Custodio Ibarra Nunez, a 42-year-old from Merced, California, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a marijuana cultivation conspiracy in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

According to court documents, between May 23 and July 8, 2019, Nunez was a manager in a conspiracy to cultivate over 4,000 marijuana plants south of Rays Peak on public lands in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest with three other co-conspirators: Francisco Madrigal Magana, Mario Alberto Lopez Pena, and an uncharged 17-year-old.

Nunez was not present at the illegal cultivation site during the law enforcement raid. Subsequent investigation led to his identification, and revealed that he continued to engage in illegal marijuana cultivation with the uncharged minor in Merced.

A search of his residence resulted in the discovery of additional marijuana plants, marijuana cultivation tools and supplies, vacuum sealing devices, and packaging material, including evidence of USPS tracking receipts for shipments across the county.

Nunez was indicted and arrested in February 2020, and has remained in custody since.

The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, the Trinity County District Attorney’s Office the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Team, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the Atwater Police Department, and the Redding Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella prosecuted the case.

Nunez was ordered to pay $17,930 in restitution to the United States.

Crime: Conspiracy to cultivate marijuana, marijuana cultivation, and depredation of public lands.

Location: Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California.

Date: The conspiracy took place between May 23 and July 8, 2019, and Nunez was sentenced on an unknown date in 2020.

Sentence: 10 years in prison.

Restitution: $17,930.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Daniel Castillo-Garcia, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Alabama 2024

Mar 8, 2024

Drug Trafficking

Benjamin Edward Henry Bradley, Prescription Pill Trafficking, Michi…

Feb 3, 2017

Drug Trafficking

David Vance Taylor, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Montana 2016

Oct 26, 2016

Drug Trafficking

Daniella M. Fedail, Methamphetamine Distribution, Nebraska 2024

Dec 30, 2024