Sureno Gang Member Sentenced To More Than Eight Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking

SAN JOSE – Edgar Gaspar was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, U.S. District Judge.

Gaspar, 21, of San Jose, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on September 18, 2019. In his plea agreement, Gaspar admitted that he is a Sureño gang member who, on July 15, 2018, was the subject of a traffic stop by officers of the San Jose Police Department.  Gaspar was arrested after the officers found a handgun in his vehicle.

Further, on November 27, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his San Jose residence where agents found and seized four assault rifles with high capacity magazines and ammunition, approximately 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine and drug trafficking materials, as well as additional Sureno gang indicia.  Gaspar admitted that all the items belonged to him and that he possessed the firearms in connection with his drug trafficking.

A grand jury indicted Gaspar on February 5, 2019, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). He pleaded guilty to the charge.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Koh also sentenced Gaspar to a five-year period of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Gaspar currently is in custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.

Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen James Meyer and Meredith Osborn are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lance Libatique and Nina Williams. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the San Jose Police Department.