Fresno’s streets have been plagued by corruption and crime, and it’s no surprise that a former high-ranking officer has been accused of perpetuating the problem.
A federal grand jury has indicted former Fresno Police Department Deputy Chief Keith Foster, 51, along with six other suspects on a variety of drug trafficking charges. The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, includes charges of conspiring to distribute oxycodone, heroin, and marijuana, as well as manufacturing and distributing marijuana.
The indictment alleges that Foster conspired with Randy Flowers, 48, to distribute oxycodone, and the two are charged individually in four separate counts of distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Flowers is also charged with being a felon in possession of three firearms.
Foster is also accused of conspiring with Rafael Guzman, 41, to distribute heroin, as well as conspiring with Ricky Reynolds, 30, Jennifer Donabedian, 35, Sarah Ybarra, 37, and Iran Dennis ‘Denny’ Foster, 44, to distribute marijuana. Reynolds is separately charged with manufacturing marijuana, and both Reynolds and Denny Foster are charged with various counts of distributing marijuana.
Denny Foster is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and both Denny Foster and Guzman are charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Each defendant is charged with using a cellphone in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, has resulted in a total of 12 counts against the defendants. If convicted, they face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the counts charging controlled substances other than or in addition to marijuana.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Melanie L. Alsworth and Dawrence W. Rice. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015.
The indictment is the latest blow to the reputation of the Fresno Police Department, which has been plagued by allegations of corruption and misconduct in recent years. The case serves as a stark reminder that those in positions of power are not above the law.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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