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Fresno Man Dropped 3 Pounds of Meth into Mendota Prison Yard
Fresno, CA – In a brazen daylight heist, Garrett Scott Wheelen, 33, of Fresno, allegedly threw four packages of methamphetamine, totaling over 3 pounds, into the Mendota Prison Yard on May 1, 2024. The packages were discovered after Wheelen was apprehended by authorities.
According to court documents, Wheelen arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution Mendota wearing a facemask, baseball cap, and hoodie to conceal his identity. In broad daylight, he ran to the prison fence and tossed the packages into the prison’s recreation yard. He was quickly apprehended after attempting to flee.
After being caught, the packages were discovered, and the contents were found to contain over 3 pounds of methamphetamine. The inmates in the recreation yard at the time did not retrieve the packages, leaving authorities to wonder if it was an inside job or an attempt to test the prison’s security.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mendota Police Department, and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is handling the case.
If convicted, Wheelen faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. However, any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account various variables.
The charges against Wheelen are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep illicit substances out of our prisons and the dangers that those in law enforcement face every day.
As the investigation continues, authorities are left to wonder what motivated Wheelen to commit such a brazen act. Was it an attempt to test the prison’s security, a way to make a quick profit, or something more sinister? One thing is certain, however, the consequences for Wheelen could be severe if he is found guilty.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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