Josevan Arias, Heroin Distribution and Unlawful Firearms Dealing, California 2023

Feds Charge Stockton Man in Heroin Distribution and Firearms Case

A federal grand jury has indicted Josevan Arias, 25, of Posen, Illinois, and Elmer Rodriguez-Colio, 30, of Sacramento, for their alleged roles in a heroin distribution and firearms dealing scheme in Stockton, California.

According to court documents, Arias sold heroin to an informant on multiple occasions, including at least one time in which he worked with Rodriguez-Colio. The indictment also alleges that Arias sold the informant four AR-style rifles and two AK-47 rifles without a federal firearms license.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case, which is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force.

Arias and Rodriguez-Colio face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Arias is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin, and with dealing firearms without a license. Rodriguez-Colio is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin.

The indictment is only the latest development in the complex investigation, which has been ongoing since 2018. If convicted, the defendants could face significant prison time and fines.

Arias and Rodriguez-Colio are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges against them are only allegations, and the case is ongoing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/two-indicted-heroin-distribution-and-unlawful-firearms-dealing-stockton