A San Francisco methamphetamine dealer has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison for possessing about one-half of a pound of the drug with intent to distribute it.
Jason Ribeiro, 32, of San Francisco, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer.
The 10-year sentence was the mandatory minimum under federal drug laws for possession of more than 50 grams of the drug with intent to distribute it.
Police found five plastic sandwich bags containing 222 grams, or 7.8 ounces, of methamphetamine in Ribeiro’s car when he was arrested in November, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors had asked for a heavier sentence of 12 years and seven months, citing Ribeiro’s previous criminal record.
Ribeiro, who was on parole at the time of his arrest, had a 2002 state conviction for possessing methamphetamine for sale and a 2003 federal conviction for possession of stolen mail.
Ribeiro pleaded guilty before Breyer in San Francisco in May to one count of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
He agreed at the time of the plea to forfeit $30,348 in cash found in his car when he was arrested.
