March 19, 2007

SAN JOSE MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN DRUG TRAFFICKING SCHEME

SAN JOSE – U.S. Attorney Scott Schools announced that Michael Costa was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for his role in directing a cross-country, 1,000 kilogram marijuana distribution conspiracy involving the use of firearms, violence, and money laundering to execute the drug trafficking scheme. This sentence is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service and the Santa Clara County Special Enforcement Team.

Mr. Costa, 42, of San Jose, pleaded guilty on June 21, 2006, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Mr. Costa was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 23, 2002. He was charged with conspiracy to possess marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute, use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, kidnaping, and money laundering crimes.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel following a guilty plea on counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956. Judge Fogel also sentenced the defendant to a five-year period of supervised release. Judge Fogel further imposed the sentence to run concurrent to any other sentences imposed in connection with the investigation by state authorities.