By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A man caught with roughly a kilo of methamphetamine in a shopping bag less than two weeks ago pleaded guilty today in Lewis County Superior Court.
[1]Enrique Orozco-Cabrera
Enrique Orozco-Cabrera, 36, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, the top of the standard range for the crime of possession with intent to deliver.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Shane O’Rourke said under state law, the amount of the drug doesn’t matter, whether its two pounds or two ounces.
Orozco-Cabrera has no criminal history – according to O’Rourke – or he would have faced more time.
O’Rourke called him obviously well connected, but defense attorney J.P. Enbody didn’t think that was the case.
“I don’t think that’s his main job,” Enbody said. “I think somebody said, go do this, and like an idiot, he did.”
When Judge Richard Brosey asked Orozco-Cabrera about the last grade he completed in school and his ability to read and write, the defendant replied through a Spanish interpreter: “I never went to school because we were too poor.”
This was no plea deal, the defendant’s attorney told the judge last week his client wanted to plead guilty.
Orozco-Cabrera was arrested by Centralia police on Nov. 23 after an officer got a tip a man named Lewis would be arriving with two pounds of meth in exchange for $21,000. It happened in Lewis County, although charging documents didn’t disclose specifically where.
Police said Orozco-Cabrera was from Seattle, court documents said his city of residence was unknown. Customs and Immigration has a “hold” on him, meaning he likely is not in the country legally, according to O’Rourke.
When he was arrested, he had $6,000 cash and a Mexican identification with someone else’s name.
Where the more than two pounds of drugs came from, O’Rourke didn’t know but said it’s definitely something law enforcement would be looking into.
O’Rourke said initially federal authorities were interested in taking the case because of the amount of drugs, but apparently changed their mind.
Enbody suggested to the judge it was a “lesson learned”.
“He did indicate he never wants to get in trouble again and never wants to come back,” Enbody said.
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For background, read: “Suspected drug dealer ready to admit guilt less than a week after arrest by Centralia police” from Saturday December 1, 2012, here [2]