Mangilao Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Meth Trafficking and Firearm Violation
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Timothy Jerome Concepcion, age 23 from Mangilao, Guam, was sentenced on February 6, 2023, to 180 months imprisonment by the District Court of Guam. Concepcion was charged and convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty of More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and Using and Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). Federal law requires that the five-year mandatory term for the firearm charge must be served after the 10-year mandatory term for the drug charge. The Court also ordered five years supervised release and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
On April 4, 2022, an officer with the Guam Police Department stopped Concepcion for speeding in Asan, Guam. Concepcion was with two passengers, an adult woman and a 14-year-old minor. When Concepcion exited the car, the officer saw a .357 caliber revolver in the driver’s side door panel. A .380 caliber pistol was also found between the passenger seat and the center console. Further search revealed 14 clear baggies containing 390.8 grams of methamphetamine, an electronic scale, and a glass pipe. Concepcion stated, “the dope is mine, but I don’t know about the guns.” Concepcion also told the officer that, “It’s not her dope. It’s mine. I use it.” He also possessed $2,565.00 in cash. One firearm was loaded and had an obliterated serial number.
Additional investigation revealed that from March 29, 2022, through April 4, 2022, Concepcion sold methamphetamine out of a room at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. A co-conspirator collected money from the drug sales for Concepcion. Buyers also smoked drugs in the hotel room, oftentimes with Concepcion. Throughout this activity, Concepcion carried the firearms for his protection, and informed others of their purpose.
“Concepcion armed himself to facilitate his illegal drug trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Combating violent crime, particularly that associated with drugs, is a high priority for the Department of Justice. The enhanced sentence in this matter demonstrates the consequences awaiting those who engage in this activity.”
“As shown by the facts in this case, people who distribute methamphetamine tend to be armed and ruthless,” said John F. Tobon, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Honolulu. “HSI along with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney Office will continue to investigate and present for prosecution people who flood our communities with this dangerous poison and sell this highly addictive drug.”
“The use of firearms by a drug trafficker makes a dangerous situation even worse,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Hopefully this sentence sends a message to would-be drug dealers that this behavior will not be tolerated. We will continue to investigate the illegal use of firearms, especially when they are tied to the drug trade.”
This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Guam Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
