Admitted forger given probation and an appointment with immigration authorities
By Bill Oram
March 10, 2010, 3:27PM

On Dec. 21, Jose Hilario-Duran, 32, and Refugio Ornelas-Aleman, 33, were arrested in separate traffic stops in connection to an interstate drug-trafficking organization, police said. Both men live around Modesto, Calif.

Westside Interagency Narcotics Team detectives had been investigating the men for several months, said Sgt. Bob Ray, a Washington County Sheriff's Office spokesman. The detectives executed warrants on both cars and found a pound of methamphetamine, valued at $25,000, and a half pound of cocaine, valued at $8,000, authorities said.

Update: Last week, Hilario-Duran was acquitted of the drug charges, and pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree forgery. Both are class C felonies.

In February, Ornelas-Aleman pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and is serving a 31-month prison sentence.

What's next: Hilario-Duran received bench probation and credit for time served. He was in jail with an immigration hold and federal authorities will evaluate his case for deportation, said Allison Brown, a Washington County deputy district attorney.


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