An Adams County man whom federal authorities accuse of trying to distribute more than 100 pounds of marijuana has been indicted on drug and immigration charges.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Colorado originally charged Joel Rodriguez Padilla, a citizen of Mexico, with immigration violations in October. According to the complaint accompanying that original charge, Padilla has previously been convicted of possessing more than a pound of methamphetamine and has been deported three times.
This month, a federal grand jury indicted Padilla, 37, on the immigration charge but also on a new charge of possession with intent to distribute at least 50 kilograms of marijuana. Fifty kilograms is about 110 pounds.
Other than stating that the marijuana offense occurred Oct. 9, the indictment does not provide further details on the allegation. The complaint filed in October does not mention marijuana.
Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, said he could not comment on the case other than to say that the investigation is ongoing.
Padilla could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the two charges. Prosecutors are also hoping to seize the house where he was living — in the 6700 block of Green Court in unincorporated Adams County — and $60,335 found in the home.
Trial has been set for January.
