Coke Dealers Caught By EGPD Receive Long Sentences

Judge gives longest county sentence since realignment implemented

Two drug dealer who were apprehended by Elk Grove Police in 2011 were sentenced today.

David Ciarelli and Richard Wisneski were sentence today to an 18 year felony sentence in county jail. On January 13, both defendants pled to charges of transportation of cocaine for sale and possession of cocaine for sale, admitting that they transported over 20 kilograms of cocaine.

On May 16, 2011, Elk Grove police performed a traffic stop on Ciarelli and Wisneski on Interstate 5.During the traffic stop, officers received consent to search the car, and found three duffel bags containing 35 separately wrapped bricks of cocaine totaling 77 pounds.

At the time the crimes were committed, both defendants faced a maximum of 24 years in prison.

Under the new California Realignment Law, these crimes were no longer punishable by state prison,but rather by a term in county jail for more than one year.  The district attorney sought a sentence of18 years in county jail, with no option for alternative programs, or home detention.

The court imposed the 18 year sentence as a split term, with the defendants serving the first 13 years in custody, which is the longest county jail sentence imposed in Sacramento County since realignment took effect.

The last 5 years of their sentence was suspended, so both defendants after serving the 13 year term will be released on mandatory probation supervision for 5 years.