A father and two sons accused of dealing large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana during an August arrest were in court this week to have crucial hearings confirmed.
Marco Cecena Sr., the 60-year-old father, was in court Thursday with his two sons Jacob and Raul. Visiting Judge Lee Felice confirmed a pre-trial hearing set for Nov. 15 and a preliminary examination, where it’s decided if there’s enough evidence for a jury trial, on Dec. 7.
The father was represented by Greg LaForge, with Raul Cecena represented by Art Cantu and Jacob Cecena represented by Patrick Palacios.
The case stems from an Aug. 16 arrest in the 100 block of Sunrise Drive, which is west of Fairview Road and south of Sunnyslope Road.
San Benito County Sheriff’s Office deputies had been looking for wanted felon Jacob Cecena that day when they stopped a car leaving the family residence. Marco and Raul Cecena were passengers in the car, and were arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine for sale and other drug-related charges.
Deputies then searched the home and found Jacob Cecena hidden inside a false wall built in the residence, according to Capt. Eric Taylor with the sheriff’s office.
In the car and residence, deputies found 2.5 pounds of meth, 15 pounds of processed marijuana, 22 marijuana plants, paraphernalia, a scale and packaging materials along with a military-grade bulletproof vest, said Capt. Eric Taylor with the sheriff’s office. They also found a compound bow and illegal fireworks.
Then on Sept. 5, deputies initiated a traffic stop and arrested Raul Cecena, who who had been out on bail. Authorities found 3.5 pounds of meth, a digital scale and narcotics packaging to indicate the subject was involved in the illicit sales of narcotics, according to a social media post by the sheriff’s office. Deputies also found an untraceable AR-15 rifle with a high-capacity magazine containing 19 bullets was in the vehicle.
Prosecutors followed up on the initial arrest and charged Jacob Cecena with felony counts alleging possession of a controlled substance for sale with enhancements for the large amount of drugs found, a misdemeanor alleging possession of marijuana for sale and resisting arrest.
The district attorney’s office charged Raul Cecena alleging a total of three drug-related felonies and enhancements, and two firearm-related felonies and enhancements.
Marco Cecena was charged with two drug-related felonies and misdemeanor possession of marijuana for sale, according to court records. The father was also arrested in 2016 and accused of being a barricaded subject reportedly armed with a bow, arrows, and a baseball bat, according to the sheriff’s office. It was reported that Cecena had been shooting arrows from his apartment.
The United Narcotics Enforcement Team assisted in the most recent drug-related case.
Father, sons accused in drug operation face court hearings
