On March 30, 2010, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Gary Paden imposed a prison sentence of eight years on 39-year-old Pete Moreno of Visalia for two separate counts of possession for sale methamphetamine and special allegations that the crimes were done for the benefit of a criminal street gang. The defendant pled no lo contendere to the charges on November 25, 2009. When Moreno entered his plea, he also admitted a prior conviction of transportation of methamphetamine out of Monterey County and two prior convictions for possession for sale of methamphetamine out of Sonoma County.

On February 24, 2009, narcotics detectives of the Visalia Police Department executed a search warrant at Moreno’s Visalia residence. Methamphetamine was discovered and narcotics-related text messages were located on Moreno’s cell phone.

On April 28, 2009, officers stopped Moreno when loud music was heard coming from his truck in the area of Santa Fe and Walnut. Two baggies of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and a digital scale were found under Moreno’s seat. Gang paraphernalia including a red bandana, several gang-related CDs, and clothing with gang-related writing was also located. Text messages from Moreno’s cell phone revealed more narcotics sales.

These cases were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Paul Greco and Matt Darby and investigated by Detective Luma Fahoum and Officer Dwight Brumley of the Visalia Police Department.

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