Salvador Vega Rendon Jr., a 33-year-old resident of Turlock, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison after being convicted of possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
Court documents indicate that on November 29, 2020, Rendon was involved in a car accident in Stanislaus County while driving under the influence. Witnesses reported seeing him remove an ice chest and several suitcases and bags from his vehicle and placing them near the crash site. When law enforcement officers arrived, they apprehended Rendon and searched his belongings.
The search revealed more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 7,000 pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine, heroin, LSD, marijuana, firearms, and body armor. Authorities also found that three out of four firearms in Rendon’s possession had been modified to operate as fully automatic weapons.
“This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Michael G. Tierney prosecuted the case.”
