Castroville man sentenced to 8 years in prison after third drug sales conviction

By Bay City News Service

A Castroville man was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug sales and unlawful gun possession, the Monterey County District Attorney announced Friday.

Jose Guerrero, who had two prior felony drug sales convictions, was out on bail when he was arrested during a July 22 traffic stop after he was seen using a cellphone while driving.

The officer said he saw Guerrero tuck something under his leg that was determined to be methamphetamine. Police reviewed his cellphone and found messages requesting specific amounts of narcotics.

Guerrero was a passenger during a March 24 traffic stop, when a Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy found him with a digital scale and four cellphones. A search of the glove compartment turned up a loaded handgun and what officials said was “a large amount” of heroin and methamphetamine.

Guerrero had a 2017 drug sales conviction after a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin was found during a search of his home.