Alleged drug dealer to be arraigned Monday

RITZVILLE — An alleged drug dealer will be arraigned at 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, in Adams County Superior Court.

According to court documents, Jose Sierra Carriero, 68, is facing possible charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance-methamphetamine, major violation of the uniform controlled substances act, school bus stop enhancement, and firearm enhancement; alien in possession of a firearm; and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

He is being held in the Adams County Jail on $100,000 bail, records show.

Carriero is alleged to have been within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop armed with both a Steyr M-95 rifle and a .40 caliber Hi-Point pistol, and in possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, on or about March 28, court records show.

Carriero was convicted of a felony in California, according to court documents, and therefore not allowed to be in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Carriero is being charged with the additional felony of carrying or possessing a firearm while not a citizen, without first having obtained an alien license from the state Department of Licensing.

"The circumstances of the current offense reveal the offender to have occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy, and the current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning," court records show.

According to the Adams County jail roster, Carriero remains in custody as of April 10.

Carriero has retained Stephen J. Felice as his attorney; Randy J. Flyckt is prosecuting the case.

Adams County Superior Court Judge Steven B. Dixon is presiding.