U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Eastern District of California

Eastern District of California

www.justice.gov/usao/cae

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Modesto Man Indicted for Firearms and Drug Violations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today a federal grand jury returned a six–count indictment charging Jose Jesus Reyes–Gallaga Vargas, 21, of Modesto, with two counts of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, two counts of being an undocumented alien in possession of a firearm, and one count of dealing firearms without a license.

According to court documents, the alleged crimes took place in various locations, including the parking lots of shopping centers in Stockton and Manteca. Among the firearms allegedly possessed and sold by Reyes–Gallaga is an AK–47–style assault rifle.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Paul Hemesath is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Reyes–Gallaga faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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