Plea deal being negotiated right now in 20 lb meth case

Plea deal in 20 lb meth arrest being negotiated. While waiting for his case to be called, Fidel Alberto Contreras. Contreras is smiling in the box and chatting with Mr. Robinson. Plea form being filled out.

Contreras has a second  2019 case on calendar which is a violation of parole.

Stay tuned.

"Hotshot Deputy DA" Trent Timm living up to his nickname from Ryan Hurley again.  Mr. Timm resolved another case and a successful resolution for the People in less than two weeks and before preliminary hearing.

11:10  p.m update: Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced Contreras to 14 years, 8 months in state prison. He forfeited $38, 495. Waived his right to appeal. After release, he will be on parole for 5 years. Contreras has to register as a narcotics offender.

He admitted to violating parole. The plea was on an amended complaint. Contreras pleaded guilty to HS 11379 (b) for the aggravated term of 9 years. He admitted a special allegation HS11370.4(b)(2), for 4 kilos of meth and received a 5 years and Count 4 HS 1136 (b) for 8 months. Rest of charges dismissed.

Contreras has 13 days custody credit in the local jail;  he was given 12 days of 4019 "good time" credits for a total of 25 days.

Mr.Michael Robinson is Contreras' attorney.  He said Contreras wanted to be sentenced today "with the expectation that he would be on the bus as soon as possible."

Calling Contreras a "seasoned and experienced defendant", Mr. Robinson said that a number of jurisdictions had an interest in him and "he chose this outcome."

As it got closer to the plea being taken, Contreras' demeanor changed.

As part of the factual basis, Mr. Timm said that Contreras was arrested in Humboldt County but his journey started in Los Angeles County with travels through Merced,Curran, Fresno and Mendocino County and the investigation showed it was for the purpose to sell meth.

A Leah Davis was in court. She waived all rights to $35,000 cash in a civil claim she had filed. Contreras took responsibility for that money.

Listed below are his aliases and original charges:

Original Press Release:

On August 31st, 2019, at approximately 12:30 a.m., special agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), with the assistance of a narcotic detection K9 from the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, and officers with the California Highway Patrol, conducted a traffic stop on Highway 254 near the town of Phillipsville.  After a year-long investigation, HCDTF agents identified Fidel Alberto Contreras (age 35) as a key suspect in methamphetamine distribution throughout Humboldt County.  Through their investigation, agents were able to track Contreras to Southern California and believed that he was traveling back to Humboldt County with a significant amount of methamphetamine.   As a result, agents were able to secure a search warrant for Contreras’ vehicle and his residence.


"During the traffic stop, Contreras was detained without incident.  The narcotics detection K9 was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle.  Agents searched the vehicle and located approximately 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine packaged for sales.  Contreras was subsequently placed under arrest and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession and transportation of controlled substances.  Agents obtained a 1275 PC hold on Contreras until a source of legitimate bail funds could be examined during a court hearing.

Agents then served a search warrant at Contreras’ residence (located in the 3300 block of High Street, Eureka) and located over $35,000 in U.S. Currency.   This currency is believed to be profits from narcotics distribution and will be held pending future asset forfeiture proceedings.