Fresno, California - Three defendants have been sentenced by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii for a conspiracy to distribute heroin, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

On Monday, Rafael Legorreta, 34, of Bakersfield, was sentenced to nine years and five months in prison, and Francisco Rivera, 29 of Palmdale, was sentenced to seven years in prison. On January 4, 2016, Julio Perez, 32, of Bakersfield, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

According to court documents, on December 2, 2014, members of Kern County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit conducted a probationary search of the home of Julio Perez. Perez, Legorreta, and Rivera were located in the locked basement of the residence with approximately 10 lbs. of heroin, together with packaging material, zip lock bags, digital scales, metal strainers, a blender, and drug paraphernalia, among other items. All three defendants appeared to have heroin residue on their hands and clothing, and all three subsequently admitted to their involvement in the conspiracy.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney prosecuted the case.