A Sacramento gang member has been sentenced to 18 years and four months in prison for his role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation.
Jose Miguel Hernandez, a 27-year-old member of a violent Sacramento street gang, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins on Monday for his part in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Hernandez was involved in a plot to distribute lethal drugs in the Sacramento region between January 26, 2023 and May 10, 2024. During this time, he sold a total of 8 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential source.
Hernandez pleaded guilty to the charges on September 9, 2025, and his sentencing comes as part of a larger investigation into the gang’s activities.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Take Back America, is a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the flow of illicit drugs and violent crime. The effort has resulted in several high-profile convictions, including those of co-defendants Johnny Bobby Truong, who was sentenced to 19 years in prison, and Michael Hutchison, who received a 15-year sentence.
The case against Hernandez is still ongoing, with several co-defendants awaiting trial. Defendant Julio Sarabia has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2026, while Mulan Keophimanh, Tanya Lawson, and Guadalupe Cervantes are set to appear in court on June 5, 2026 for a status conference.
Hernandez’s sentence serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of involvement in organized crime. The charges against him are merely allegations, but the evidence presented in court paints a damning picture of his activities. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how many more individuals will be held accountable for their roles in the gang’s operations.
Related Federal Cases
- Erick Anaya, Meth Trafficking, South Dakota 2021 · South Dakota
- Baldemar Valencia Alcazar, Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2015 · Kansas
- Ricardo Lujan, Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2016 · Idaho
- Deandre Bennett, Methamphetamine Trafficking, California 2024 · Texas
- Jose Soto, Methamphetamine Distribution, California 2024 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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