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A Milford couple accused of dealing cocaine in September 2005 returned to court Tuesday afternoon for a plea hearing.
Jose Gonzales, 53, and Yolanda Gonzales, 46, both of Milford, entered a plea of guilty in front of Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed Tuesday.
On Sept. 1, 2005, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force, along with officers from the Milford Police Department, the Fort Wayne Narcotics Division and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, reportedly found more than $220,000 in cash, 127 pounds of marijuana, 3 kilos of cocaine, several weapons and a variety of drug paraphernalia in the Gonzales' home at 13367 N. CR 100E, Milford. The street value of the drugs was estimated at more than $300,000.
During an hour-long plea hearing with a Spanish interpreter Tuesday afternoon, Jose and Yolanda Gonzales affirmed their intention to submit a plea bargain in the case.
If his plea bargain is accepted, Jose Gonzales will plead guilty to dealing cocaine, a Class B felony, as a lesser included offense of dealing cocaine, a Class A felony. The prison sentence for a Class B felony ranges from six to 20 years. If Gonzales' plea is accepted, the agreement includes a stipulation that Gonzales will spend no more than 10 years in prison, and any amount of time given more than 10 years would be suspended for probation. Gonzales also will agree to the forfeiture of property determined in the agreement.
In her plea agreement, Yolanda Gonzales will plead guilty to possession of marijuana, a Class D felony. For the Class D felony, she faces a sentence of between six months and three years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. However, if the court finds a reason to reduce the charge to a Class A misdemeanor, the sentence will be reduced to not more than a year in prison and no more than a $5,000 fine. She also will agree to the forfeiture of property.
Once all the plea agreement information was translated and relayed to Jose and Yolanda Gonzales by Spanish interpreter Otto Cuevas, the couple said they understood all the information.
Judge Reed ordered a pre-sentence investigation from the probation department and scheduled the Gonzales' sentencings for May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
If the court chooses not to accept the plea agreement, the Gonzaleses will have the right to withdraw their guilty pleas and stand trial as if the plea agreements never existed.
