Judson Allen Stiglich was sentenced in federal court today to 120 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute the drug and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Alex G. Tse and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge.
Stiglich.
Stiglich, 36, of Eureka, pleaded guilty to the charges on June 22, 2018. According to his plea agreement, Stiglich admitted that on December 7, 2017, he possessed nearly a half-pound of methamphetamine and a loaded gun. On that day, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his home and found over 200 grams of 100% pure ice methamphetamine; Stiglich acknowledged that he intended to sell the drugs. During the search of his residence, law enforcement officers also found $2409 in cash and drug distribution paraphernalia, including a digital scale with methamphetamine residue. Stiglich acknowledged he knowingly possessed all the items and further admitted that in the weeks leading up to December 7, 2017, he sent text messages from his phone both to set up drug transactions and to discuss his debt to a drug supplier.
Further, according to his plea agreement, Stiglich admitted he possessed a .357 revolver loaded with four rounds of ammunition to further his drug dealing. Stiglich admitted that among the reasons he possessed the weapon were to protect himself, his drugs, and his money.
On March 1, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Stiglich charging him with one count each of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B); possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Stiglich pleaded guilty to the first two charges.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston ordered Stiglich to serve a 4-year term of supervised release. Stiglich has been in custody since his arrest on December 7, 2017, and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi T. Narayan is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson. The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Humboldt County Drug Task Force.
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