BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Israel Cavazos, 38, of Bakersfield, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii, to 42 months in prison to be followed by a term of three years of supervised release. On January 25, 2011, Cavazos pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Israel Cavazos, 38, of Bakersfield, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii, to 42 months in prison to be followed by a term of three years of supervised release. On January 25, 2011, Cavazos pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Bakersfield Police Department, Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Task Force, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen A. Servatius is prosecuting the case.

According to evidence introduced at the sentencing hearing, Cavazos worked as a manager for Nature’s Medicinal Inc., a business engaged almost exclusively in distributing marijuana. Cavazos was charged by indictment along with other defendants, including David Chavez Jr. and David Chavez Sr., who are currently scheduled for trial.

Three other Bakersfield defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana and have been sentenced: Timothy Glenn Doolittle, 42, was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by a five-year term of supervision; Jennifer Diane Brown, 37, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release; and John Shanks, 62, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison and a three-year term of supervised release.