CASE OF INTEREST

Date: September, 19, 2003
Case: People vs. Augustine Pena-Silva
Contact: George Smyrnos, Major Narcotics Vendor Prosecution Unit
Telephone: (916) 874-8988

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that Augustine Pena-Silva was sentenced to a term of 20 years and 8 months in state prison by the Honorable Richard H. Gilmore. In June, Pena-Silva was found guilty by a jury of sales, conspiracy to transport, and possession for sale of methamphetamine after a month-long trial. The five co-defendants in the case had earlier pleaded guilty and been sentenced to state prison terms ranging from four to six years.

Sacramento Sheriff’s detective Chris Joachim began an investigation of Pena-Silva in the fall of 2001. Between November 15, 2001 and December 12, 2001, Detective Joachim arranged to purchase various amounts of methamphetamine from Pena-Silva using a confidential informant. These arrangements including the sale of 10 ounces of methamphetamine by Pena-Silva on November 15th, the sale of over a pound of methamphetamine on December 5th, and an agreement to sell 7 pounds of methamphetamine on December 12th. Through surveillance, a house in Modesto was determined to be the source of Pena-Silva’s methamphetamine. Search warrants served at the Modesto residence and at Pena-Silva’s Sacramento residence netted over 10 pounds of methamphetamine.

Deputy District Attorney George Smyrnos stated, “This case is an excellent example of how the coordinated efforts of various law enforcement agencies can result in the successful prosecution of large scale drug cases. Detective Joachim’s effective management of his team of detectives was a decisive factor in the guilty verdicts.”

Back to Press Releases Index