David Holguin was sentenced yesterday for maintaining a drug house in the 100 block of B Street in Tulare. On September 2, 2009, five firearms, including an assault weapon and sawed-off shotgun, were seized by Tulare police officers during the execution of a search warrant at David Holguin’s house. Several drug pipes, scales, and numerous rounds of ammunition were also confiscated by police.

Holguin, 28, pled no contest to a five felonies: possession of an assault riffle, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of ammunition by a felon, and maintaining a residence for the sale of a controlled substance. Holguin also admitted to the special allegations that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, admitted a prior strike conviction, and admitted two prior serious felony convictions.

Judge Gerald Sevier sentenced David Holguin to serve twenty-four years in prison for his crimes. Holguin will also have to pay a restitution fine of $10,000. He will have to provide samples of his blood, saliva, and thumb and palm prints pursuant to Penal Code section 296. Holguin’s plea will count as an additional “strike” under California law. If, in the future, Holguin commits any other felony, his sentence could be twenty-five years to life. Because Holguin has a prior strike conviction, he will have to serve eighty percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Taksa of the District Attorney’s Office and was investigated by Detective Rosa Moreno of the Tulare Police Department.

Contact Person: Janet Wise, Supervising Attorney (559) 733-6411