San Francisco – In a groundbreaking blow to the drug trade, Jonathan Ponce, the notorious drug kingpin, was yesterday sentenced to a staggering 72 months in federal prison. The sentence, handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen, came for Ponce’s involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, as well as his role in international money laundering and money laundering conspiracy.
Ponce, aged 34, a U.S. citizen with a criminal past in Mexico and the South Bay area, was first charged on Aug. 21, 2019, for drug-related offenses. He was later indicted by a federal grand jury on June 24, 2021, for money laundering charges.
Ponce pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, five counts of international money laundering, and one count of money laundering conspiracy on Nov. 14, 2024. Court documents revealed that Ponce sold or arranged for the sale of approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.6 pounds of heroin over 13 drug deals. He also laundered over $30,000 in funds by sending proceeds to Mexico via money services businesses with false information.
Since his arrest, Ponce has remained in custody and was remanded into custody following sentencing. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chen ordered Ponce to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which utilizes a multi-agency approach to dismantle criminal networks that threaten the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Yeh prosecuted the case, which was the result of an extensive DEA investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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