Street justice in the form of a 15-year prison sentence was handed down to a Santa Maria gang member and convicted felon for his role in narcotics crimes and illegal possession of ammunition, officials reported. Rodolfo Uriarte, 41, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to five felony charges on February 28, including the distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as possession of ammunition as a felon and prohibited person.
According the United States Attorney's Office—a violent felon has been put behind bars for a substantial time. "Thanks to the diligent efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, a violent felon was apprehended and has now received a lengthy prison term," United States Attorney Martin Estrada said. "Working together, we can make our streets safer by removing repeated offenders from our communities."
Uriarte, associated with the Santa Maria Northwest street gang, was busted following an investigation into his drug and gun trafficking activities. Court documents revealed that law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Uriarte. The first in October 2023 involved approximately 110 grams, and a second on November 6, 2023, that also included a "ghost gun" loaded with nine-millimeter ammunition.
A separate October incident saw Uriarte apprehended by Santa Maria Police during a traffic stop. The vehicle he operated, a stolen gray Lexus sedan, contained methamphetamine and a substantial cache of ammunition, including rounds found inside a rifle case, AR-15 magazines, and a backpack. Totaling approximately 86.3 grams of methamphetamine, the seized contraband further solidified his fate.
Uriarte's track record of felony convictions unfolds over the past two decades, with charges ranging from second-degree robbery to assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence. The compounded legal infractions barred him from legally possessing ammunition, elevated by a restraining order issued in June 2022 out of Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The investigation into Uriarte's activities was a cooperative effort between the FBI, the Santa Maria Police Department, and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, with Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas J. Magaña and Stephanie L. Orrick leading the prosecution. More details regarding the case can be found on the U.S. Attorney's Office website, available here.
