California Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a California man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing marijuana while intending to distribute it and for possessing firearms illegally. Carl Lopez, a/k/a Kenneth Hutsell, age 33, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 17, 2010, for Possession With the Intent to Distribute Marijuana (maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine), Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime (mandatory minimum of 5 or 25 years ((depending on prior criminal history)) up to life imprisonment upon conviction, consecutive to any underlying offense, and/or a $250,000 fine) and Felon In Possession of a Firearm (maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine). He appeared before US Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 30, 2010, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The charges are merely accusations, and Lopez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by ATF, RCPD, and SDHP. Assistant US Attorney Mark A. Vargo is prosecuting the case. Lopez was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.