SACRAMENTO, CA – Francelino Mario Alves, 51, of Sacramento, has confessed to peddling poison on the streets. The career criminal pleaded guilty Tuesday to distribution of methamphetamine, a charge stemming from a 2017 investigation that finally caught up with him. Alves now stares down the barrel of a potential life sentence.
According to court documents, the deal went down in two installments. On June 13, 2017, Alves willingly sold a full pound of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Not content with one transaction, he doubled down, pushing another pound of the highly addictive drug to the same officer just a month later, on July 12, 2017. The ATF and DEA were jointly investigating.
The bust was a slow burn, taking years to come to fruition. While the initial transactions occurred in 2017, the wheels of federal justice grind slowly. The case was built by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), highlighting the combined resources dedicated to tackling the methamphetamine crisis gripping the nation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is handling the prosecution, and will likely argue for the maximum penalty given the quantity of drugs involved. Alves faces a statutory maximum of life in prison and a staggering $10 million fine. However, the final sentence will rest with U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez, who will consider federal sentencing guidelines and any mitigating factors presented by the defense.
Federal officials are touting this case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative designed to reduce violent crime. Launched in 2021, the program aims to foster trust between law enforcement and communities, support violence prevention organizations, and focus enforcement efforts on the most dangerous offenders. Whether PSN truly makes a difference remains to be seen, but the Department of Justice is keen to highlight any positive results.
Alves is scheduled to appear before Judge Mendez on March 7, 2023, to learn his fate. The Grimy Times will be there to report on the sentencing and provide a full account of the proceedings. This case serves as a stark reminder of the relentless flow of methamphetamine into our communities and the consequences for those who profit from addiction.
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Bays, Meth Distribution, W.Va. 2023 · Ohio
- Jessica Joyce Spayd, Opioid Distribution Resulting in Death, Eagle … · California
- Meth Mule Busted on Hopi Land · Montana
- No Year Given, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution, USA, Not … · Alabama
- Dr. Jorge Giraldo Accused of Unlawful Oxycodone Distribution, Miami… · California
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking