One of the two suspects in a recent case involving stolen property and drug offenses has accepted a plea deal for 120 days in jail and a fine, according to court records.
The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Frederico Cortes, 30, and Rachael Campos, 32, related to their Aug. 9 arrest in Hollister.
Cortes pleaded no contest to two counts — possession of methamphetamine and unauthorized use of personal identifying information — while the prosecutor dismissed charges of receiving or concealing stolen property and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
He was sentenced Sept. 6 to 120 days in jail and a fine of $1,395 and an administrative fee of $30, according to court records. He is set for a review hearing in April.
Court records also indicated Cortes would be required to pay restitution to the victim in the case, if there is any.
Cortes is represented by public defender Patrick Palacios in the case.
Cortes faced four misdemeanor counts that include possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of personal identifying information, receiving or concealing stolen property, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Campos faces one count of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, according to court records.
His counterpart in the case, Campos, is continuing on with the court process and faces a pre-trial conferences at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 3 before Judge Steven Sanders.
The Hollister Police Department arrested the Los Banos man and woman on related charges on Aug. 9 when police spotted a suspicions vehicle parked along the curb at Pacific Way and Madrone Drive.
According to a police description of the arrest:
On August 9, 2018, at about 11:32 A.M., Officer Julio Martinez was on patrol when he spotted a suspicious vehicle parked along the curb of Pacific Way and Madrone Drive. Â Officer Martinez decided to conduct a vehicle check. When he approached the vehicle on foot, he discovered there were two people in the car, identified as Federico Cortez (30) and Rachael Campos (32).
Officer Martinez asked dispatchers for a records check on the individuals and learned that both Cortez and Campos had warrants for their arrest from neighboring counties. Â Cortez and Campos were both placed in custody without incident.
During the investigation, Officer Martinez found several baggies of suspected methamphetamine and items commonly used when selling drugs.  Upon searching the vehicle further a driver’s license, credit cards and other items with another person’s name on them were found.
Officers were able to track down the owner of the cards and learn several fraudulent charges had been already been made on his bank card.  The subsequent investigation revealed the items found inside the suspect’s car had been stolen out of a vehicle in Los Banos.
Both suspects were transported to the San Benito County Jail. Â Frederico Cortez was booked for several warrants, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of unlawful paraphernalia and possessing stolen property. Â Rachael Campos was booked for several warrants, possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property.
The unlawful charges on the stolen credit cards were conducted in Los Banos and are being investigated by the Los Banos police Department.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is requested to contact Officer Miguel Masso at 831-636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
-Kollin Kosmicki
