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Trial begins for alleged methamphetamine dealer By DANI DODGE The trial of a man suspected of dealing methamphetamine - whom prosecutors say had more than a pound of the illegal drug at his home - began in federal court Tuesday. Santiago Munoz-Munoz, 28, was indicted on two counts: possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute 50 grams or more, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of even one of the two counts against him, Munoz-Munoz faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum lifetime sentence. He could be fined up to $4 million. The penalties Munoz-Munoz faces are double the normal federal sentences and fines because he was previously convicted of a drug crime. In 1997, Munoz-Munoz, a native Mexican who is illegally in the United States, was convicted of an aggravated felony for delivery of a controlled substance. Typically, federal sentences are much tougher than penalties in state court, but federal prosecutors only take on cases where large amounts of drugs are involved. In addition to determining Munoz-Munoz's guilt or innocence, the jury must determine whether the $58,461 found in Munoz-Munoz's house and car are drug proceeds that should be forfeited. In his opening arguments to the jury, Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Fong said Munoz-Munoz was arrested May 23 after an extensive undercover investigation. But Munoz-Munoz's attorney Laurence Parker said Munoz-Munoz wasn't dealing drugs - he just befriended the wrong guys. "What the evidence will show you ... is Munoz-Munoz is the victim of not being able to choose friends well," Parker said. Fong said the investigation that ultimately ended in Munoz-Munoz's arrest began in March 2000. Over the course of a year, an informant made nine different drug buys from an associate of Munoz-Munoz. Each time, the informant purchased a pound or more of methamphetamine, paying between $4,000 and $5,000. When federal agents tapped the associate's phone, frequent calls led to Munoz-Munoz, Fong said. At one point, Munoz-Munoz's associate went back to Mexico and Munoz-Munoz took care of business for the associate for a few months, Fong said. Then, as investigators were wrapping up their case, they came across another man with a pound of methamphetamine. That man said he was buying from Munoz-Munoz. On May 23 officers, armed with a search warrant, went to Munoz-Munoz's house on Coker Butte Road. Fong said officers found many of the common items that can be used to make methamphetamine. They discovered a gun in a holster, and more than $40,000 in cash wrapped inside duct tape in a hiding place. They found thousands more in Munoz-Munoz's car. Although Munoz-Munoz said he knew nothing about the cash and gun, his fingerprints were on them, Fong said. Hidden inside a pile of trash, officers found more than a pound of methamphetamine in baggies. "When you step back and look at all the evidence, you will see that this man was involved," Fong said. But Parker said that Munoz-Munoz was friends with the drug-dealing associate because the two were born in the same town. Parker said Munoz-Munoz didn't own the home on Coker Butte Road, but simply rented a room there for $150 a month. Munoz-Munoz had the cash because he'd been saving from his jobs in the wood products industry and reselling cars, Parker said. "He couldn't have a bank account, so the checks were cashed," Parker said. "He was in the process of saving money to return to Mexico and start a business with the money." The trial is expected to continue through Thursday. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail ddodge@mailtribune.com |
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