Julio Ernesto "Iroe" Lopez-Menendez, 27, of Reseda, pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of methamphetamine and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Lopez-Menendez has been in federal custody since his arrest last April.
U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled a May 26 sentencing hearing, at which time Lopez-Menendez will face a sentence of up to life in federal prison, federal prosecutors said.
According to his plea agreement, from January 2022 to April 2022, Lopez-Menendez engaged in transactions in which large numbers of firearms and pound quantities of methamphetamine were sold. Many of the firearms sold were so-called ghost guns.
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In one deal, Lopez-Menendez sold the buyer a dozen firearms, including 10 semi-automatic ghost gun pistols. In another transaction, Lopez-Menendez sold the same buyer nearly one pound of methamphetamine and 14 firearms, including nine semi-automatic ghost gun pistols, for $15,000.
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During the final two drug deals, Lopez-Menendez sold the buyer about 9.2 pounds and 4.8 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the plea deal filed in Los Angeles federal court.
In total, Lopez-Menendez admitted to selling about 17 pounds of methamphetamine and 89 firearms -- including 53 ghost guns.
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