Bay Area gang associate sentenced for firearms violations and trafficking cocaine near school

OAKLAND, Calif. – A Bay Area man with gang ties has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison on drug and firearms charges, including possessing cocaine within 1,000 feet of an Oakland high school, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Oakland Police Department.

Cristian Quintero-Felix, a Norteño gang associate, was sentenced Wednesday to 87 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of St. Elizabeth’s High School; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of firearms. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton, also sentenced Quintero-Felix to a six-year period of supervised release during which he may not associate with any other gang members. 

Quintero-Felix was convicted in November 2014 following a two-week jury trial of possessing cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  During the trial, evidence showed the defendant was directly across the street from St. Elizabeth’s High School carrying a backpack containing two loaded firearms - including one with a round already in the chamber - as well as numerous pre-packaged baggies of cocaine and packaging paraphernalia. Propr to the trial, Quintero-Felix had pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms.
  
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cynthia Frey and Joseph Alioto, Jr., prosecuted the case aided by Kurt Kosek and Ponly Tu. The prosecution resulted from ongoing efforts by HSI and the Oakland Police Department to get guns off the streets of Oakland and keep school zones safe.