Hercules Drug Crime Put to Rest 15 Years Later

-Report from the Hercules Police Department.

On May 12, 1997, Hercules Police were dispatched to the Goldenrod and Violet for a report of a shooting. Officers located a parked vehicle occupied by two subjects while investigating.

After determining no shooting had occurred, the officers continued their contact with the above subjects. During the contact the subjects consented to a search of their vehicles and approximately two pounds of methamphetamines were found in the trunk of the vehicle.

Both subjects were arrested and the District Attorney’s Office filed charges against them. The first subject was convicted and the second one, 19 year old Juan Gutierez from Richmond, failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

In March of this year, Gutierez was detained by the Border Patrol in San Diego as he attempted to cross the border into Mexico. Arrangements were made and Gutierez was transported to Martinez County Jail.

On May 15, almost fifteen years after the original incident, Gutierez was convicted of possession of a controlled substance. Current and former Hercules PD officers and employees testified during the trial. Gutierez’s sentence is pending.