On November 24, 2009, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Joseph Kalashian imposed a prison sentence of 9 years on 25-year-old Gabriel “Happs” Rodriguez of Tulare. On November 3, 2009 the defendant pled no contest to two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales, two counts of Identity Theft, one count of Possession of Stolen Property, and one count of Possession of a Scanning Device. He also admitted special allegations that he was armed with a firearm during the drug offenses and that he suffered a prior conviction for Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales.

On August 18, 2009, officers searched vehicles associated with Rodriguez and a few other individuals. Officers located over $4,600 cash and over 260 grams of methamphetamine in one vehicle. Over 147 grams of methamphetamine were found in the other. A search of Rodriguez’s residence revealed stolen property, including driver’s licenses, credit applications, forged checks and mail belonging to many victims. Officers also located a credit card scanning machine, a .22-caliber rifle, a .38-caliber revolver, a 9mm assault pistol, and ammunition. A dozen forged driver’s licenses with Rodriguez’s photograph were located as well.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matt Darby and investigated by Detective Espinoza, Detective Aguayo, Detective Moreno and Detective Hamlin of the Tulare Police Department.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani Jenkins, (559) 733-6411.