Vanxay Chantha, 25, of Visalia was sentenced to eleven years and four months in state prison for transportation and possession for sale of methamphetamine.

On July 25, 2006, the defendant was contacted by officers from the Visalia Police Department on a traffic stop. Officers located 3.8 ounces of methamphetamine in Chantha’s possession.

On September 13, 2006, Chantha was contacted on a traffic stop by Detectives from Visalia Police Department. Detectives learned that Chantha that was on probation. Chantha was found in possession of 5.5 ounces of methamphetamine, as well as loaded semi-automatic handgun.

On January 27, 2007 Visalia Police Department’s Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Chantha’s home. While there detectives located three firearms, scales, a stolen laptop computer and a half ounce of methamphetamine.

For the July 25, 2006 incident Chantha plead guilty to a felony charge of transporting methamphetamine in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11379 and admitted the special allegations of having over two ounces of methamphetamine and that he had a prior conviction for methamphetamine transportation.

For the September 13, 2006 incident Chantha plead to transporting methamphetamine in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11379 and admitted the special allegations of having over two ounces of methamphetamine, a prior conviction for transportation of methamphetamine and that he was armed with a firearm and that he had committed the new offense while he was out on bail. Chantha also plead guilty to having a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

On the last incident, Chantha plead to possession of methamphetamine for sale, in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11378. Chantha admitted the special allegations that he had a prior conviction for methamphetamine transportation, that he was armed with a firearm and admitted that he was out on bail when he committed this offense.

The Honorable Judge James Hollman sentenced Chantha to eleven years, four months in state prison and several thousand dollars in fines. Additionally, Chantha must register as a Narcotics Offender pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11590 and provide samples of his blood, saliva and palm prints pursuant to Penal Code section 296.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michelle Wallis of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and investigated by the Visalia Police Department’s Narcotics Investigation Unit Detectives J. Ediger and S. Payne and Special Enforcement Unit Detectives D. Mena, M. Verrissimo, L. Fahoum and D. Brumley.

Contact Person:

Carol Turner, Assistant District Attorney 733-6411