Richmond meth and fentanyl dealer is sentenced to five years in prison

A Richmond man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for having a hand in a fivepound methamphetamine deal and the sale of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, among other drug sales, court records show.

U.S. District Judge James Donato handed down the sentence on Feb. 7, following Ernest “Tigre” Madrigal's guilty plea last May to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Prosecutors say Madrigal facilitated three drug deals involving a confidential informant, and also told the informant he stored methamphetamine at his home in Richmond.

As part of the plea agreement, Madrigal admitted to involvement in a one-pound methamphetamine deal in Emeryville, a subsequent five-pound methamphetamine transaction, and the sale of 250 counterfeit prescription painkillers laced with fentanyl, court records show.

In a sentencing memo, Madrigal's attorney wrote that Madrigal had a “very difficult upbringing” in the Los Angeles area. His father went to prison for a drug-related conviction when Madrigal was 10. The following year, at age 11, he started using marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine, the sentencing memo says.

“(Madrigal) indicates he has never participated in a substance abuse program. He would welcome such a program to try and get clean and sober, and stop using drugs,” the memo says.

Donato's sentencing order recommends the Bureau of Prisons place Madrigal in a drug rehabilitation program, give him vocational training, and house him as close to Southern California as possible.