Patrick Maldonado, Interstate Marijuana Trafficking, California 2023

Fresno Men Sentenced for Interstate Marijuana Shipments

FRESNO, Calif. — Patrick Maldonado, 45, of Madera, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for an interstate drug conspiracy involving shipments of marijuana to the Midwest.

Maldonado, along with Elias Zambrano Jr., 41, of Fresno, pleaded guilty earlier this year. The two men were part of a group that coordinated with Tan Minh Vo, 48, of San Jose, to send large shipments of marijuana to Halen Frazier, 34, of Kingsville, Missouri.

According to court documents, in November 2018, Maldonado coordinated with Vo to send two shipments of marijuana to Frazier. The first shipment was seized from Frazier during a traffic stop after Tien Van Phan, 56, of Milpitas, delivered 92 pounds of marijuana to Frazier in two suitcases at a hotel in Kansas City.

Later, agents intercepted calls between Maldonado, Zambrano, and Frazier in which they discussed the shipment of 384 pounds of marijuana to Frazier in Kansas City. Maldonado and Zambrano had packed the load in a hidden compartment of a trailer of a truck driven by David McGowan, 61, of Kansas City. Arizona State Troopers discovered the marijuana and $1,629 in cash after a traffic stop.

Following the seizure of marijuana in Arizona, agents executed a search warrant at Maldonado’s and Zambrano’s residences. At Maldonado’s residence, agents found more than 3 kilograms of cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana, a handgun, and $45,281 in cash. At Zambrano’s residence, agents found more marijuana, an electronic money counter, an unregistered pistol, and a so-called “ghost gun.”

U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd has ordered the forfeiture of the cash and firearms. This case is the product of an investigation by the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

Patrick Maldonado (Defendant) – 8 years in prison for Interstate Drug Conspiracy (Mandatory minimum sentence not applicable)

Elias Zambrano Jr. (Defendant) – 2 years and 3 months in prison for Interstate Drug Conspiracy (Mandatory minimum sentence not applicable)

Tan Minh Vo (Charged) – Charges pending

Halen Frazier (Charged) – 2 years and 3 months in prison for Interstate Drug Conspiracy

Tien Van Phan (Charged) – 3 1/2 years in prison for Interstate Drug Conspiracy

David McGowan (Charged) – Charges pending

Location: Fresno, California

Date: November 2018 (Crime date)

Amount: $1,629 (CASH) – $45,281 (CASH)

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime

William Perry Hobbs, Meth Distribution, Montana 2024

Dec 21, 2018

Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime

Curtis Anthony Shell, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Mississippi 2014

Jan 7, 2015

Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime

Christian Lopez, Fentanyl Trafficking, Connecticut 2023

May 21, 2026

Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime

Antonio M. Taylor, Drug Trafficking, Missouri 2012

Jan 7, 2015