Illegal immigrant sentenced to 56 years for selling meth in Greeley

Published on September 05, 2024

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Weld County judge handed down more than five decades in prison last week to an illegal immigrant convicted of distributing more than 112 grams of methamphetamine and possessing an additional $50,000 worth of the drug.

In October and November of 2022, an undercover Weld County Drug Task Force officer was able to purchase more than five ounces of methamphetamine from 45-year-old Olegario Aparicio-Hernandez.

On November 29, 2022, Greeley Police officer arrested Aparicio-Hernandez during a traffic stop on an outstanding warrant for methamphetamine distribution.

Aparicio-Hernandez was suspected of trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Greeley for distribution into the Weld County community.

During the investigation, the Weld County Drug Task Force secured and served a search warrant for the defendant’s residence in Greeley, where investigators uncovered approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of nearly $50,000.

In July, a jury convicted the defendant of one count of distribution of a controlled substance – methamphetamine over 112 grams, and one count of possession with intent to distribute – over 112 grams.

“The defendant testified during the trial that he was also arrested and convicted of homicide in Mexico in 2007, and was released from a Mexican prison in 2015,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said. “He then decided to come to our community, where he chose to flood our streets with deadly drugs. His behavior reflects a complete and blatant disregard for the law and human life, and this won’t be tolerated in Weld County. We hope this significant prison sentence not only serves justice, but also sends a clear and powerful message to our community: criminal behavior like this will never be accepted, and we will continue to stand firm in protecting our community from such harm.”