Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Galax Residents Sentenced to Prison on Drug and Gun Charges
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced today the sentencing of two Galax, Virginia men who were previously convicted of distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of their drug distribution activities.
Henry Aguliar, 25, and Pablo Hernandez, 28, were each sentenced last week in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to 130 months in prison. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to evidence presented at previous hearings, Aguilar and Hernandez were both targeted by the Twin County Drug Task Force based upon information that they were distributing methamphetamine in the Galax area. A controlled purchase of methamphetamine was made from Aguilar, who was arrested and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, drug distribution paraphernalia, and a loaded .357 magnum revolver. Aguilar was interviewed and admitted that he and Hernandez had been receiving 1 pound of methamphetamine a week from a source in North Carolina, which was then being distributed in the Galax area. A search warrant executed at Hernandez’s residence uncovered methamphetamine, drug ledgers, and two loaded handguns. Hernandez also admitted to receiving methamphetamine from a source in North Carolina. He further admitted that Aguilar was one of multiple individuals who sold methamphetamine for him in the area.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Twin County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Lee prosecuted the case for the United States.