Pedroza pleads not guilty to drug charges

A Tipanuk man entered a not-guilty plea on drug trafficking and drug possession charges during arraignment in district court Jan. 7.

Albino G. Pedroza stands accused of two felony counts of delivering controlled substances with additional felonies of trafficking marijuana and possession of a controlled substance with the intention to distribute illegal narcotics.

Three of the four felony counts each carry a maximum sentence of life in prison with the marijuana trafficking charge adding up to 15 more years. In addition, the courts could punish him with a maximum fine of $125,000 if the jury finds him guilty on all four counts.

Pedroza's pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 23 with his trial scheduled for May 5.

Law enforcement officers arrested Albino G. Pedroza at his home Dec. 7 on a variety of narcotics charges. During their search of Pedroza's residence, authorities allegedly seized nine pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $22,500, according to the sheriff's office.

Officers also confiscated nearly 25 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a firearm, $10,000 in cash and two vehicles. Law enforcement officers normally seize vehicles if authorities believe they were used to distribute and sell narcotics.

The Elmore County Sheriff's Office and agents with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Mountain Home Air Force Base executed the search warrant on Pedroza's home during the drug bust. The OSI regularly works with the sheriff's department, and the Air Force agents served in a support capacity during this arrest, according to a base spokesman.

Pedroza was initially charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

A U.S. citizen and a long-time resident of Elmore County, Pedroza was previously found guilty on one felony count of driving under the influence.