Sheriff Wilhelmi Overseas "Largest Cocaine Case in Whiteside County History"
1/6/2009
MORRISON - State and federal prosecutors are discussing which jurisdiction will try what Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi has called the largest cocaine case in Whiteside County history.
Sheriff's deputies arrested Jose Carrizoza, 39, of Wenden, Ariz., on Oct. 30, after he allegedly failed to signal while getting off Interstate 88 near Erie.
A drug-sniffing dog found 6 kilograms of cocaine, about 13 pounds, in the Ford Ranger's toolbox, according to a federal complaint filed Nov. 4. The drugs have a street value of $600,000, investigators said. Federal penalties for that much cocaine can bring up to life in prison, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Love said Carrizoza likely would receive 20 years if convicted. There is no parole in the federal system.
He faces 15 to 60 years on a state charge of possession with intent to deliver."It's a very friendly conversation; we're just trying to figure out what the best thing to do is - where is the best place to continue prosecution," Love said.
"We've had a really good relationship with the U.S. attorney," said Whiteside County State's Attorney Gary Spencer. "What we're doing is looking at how to get the longer sentence."
If the federal prosecution fails, "I can always bring him back here and continue [county] prosecution," Spencer said.
Carrizoza is not cooperating with investigators, so they don't know where the drugs were headed, according to the complaint.Carrizoza's lack of cooperation with investigators is "likely the result of him exercising his right not to speak against himself," said his appointed attorney Alan Cooper.
Carrizoza has been transferred from Whiteside County jail, where was being held on $5 million bond, to U.S. Marshal's custody in Ogle County jail.
Federal and county prosecutors have at least 2 months to make a decision, Spencer said
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