CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has indicted a suburban Chicago man for allegedly trafficking cocaine and illegally possessing a loaded handgun.
An indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges GILBERTO ALMANZA, 44, of North Chicago, Ill., with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug-trafficking activities.
The charges in the indictment carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of life. Almanza is currently detained in federal custody. Arraignment is set for Friday at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Robert J. Bell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan DeMarco and A.J. Dixon.
According to the indictment and a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, Almanza distributed approximately 46 kilograms of cocaine on Sept. 2, 2021. The delivery occurred in a restaurant parking lot in Bolingbrook, Ill., the charges allege. Unbeknownst to Almanza, the individual to whom Almanza delivered the cocaine was cooperating with law enforcement, the charges allege.
A second drug deal allegedly occurred last month at Almanza’s residence. Another individual surreptitiously cooperating with law enforcement bought approximately half a kilogram of cocaine from Almanza, the charges allege. Law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Almanza’s residence on March 17, 2022, and discovered approximately two kilograms of cocaine and the loaded handgun, the charges allege.
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The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.