Hollister
– The grandmother accused of selling drugs from her San Juan
Bautista home pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to felony drug
charges.
Hollister – The grandmother accused of selling drugs from her San Juan Bautista home pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to felony drug charges.
Aminta Soliz, 75, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of selling methamphetamine and cocaine, conspiracy and maintaining a place to sell drugs in San Benito County Superior Court.
Her 49-year-old son, Carlos Soliz, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of conspiracy and selling methamphetamine and cocaine.
He also pleaded not guilty to additional drug-related charges filed Tuesday by the district attorney’s office stemming from a November arrest.
Carlos and Aminta Soliz were both held on $100,000 bail after their arrests on Feb. 9. At an arraignment Feb. 13, Judge Alan Hedegard reduced Aminta Soliz’s bail to $15,000 and Carlos Soliz’s bail to $25,000. Both posted bail and were released the same day, jail personnel said.
Early on the morning of Feb. 9, Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team agents arrested Aminta and Carlos Soliz during a raid of their home at 207 Fifth St. in San Juan Bautista. Agents said the arrests followed a monthlong undercover sting operation that was launched in response to complaints about possible drug dealing at the Soliz residence.
Aminta and Carlos Soliz will be back in court Mar. 15 to set a date for a preliminary hearing, at which a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to send them to trial.
If convicted of a single count of selling drugs, Carlos and Aminta Soliz could face up to four years in state prison.
In 1999, Aminta Soliz was convicted of drug charges and operating a home for selling drugs, according to the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office. She received a suspended four-year state prison sentence.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or mv*********@fr***********.com.
