BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Two men were convicted on Monday on multiple charges relating to the transportation of around 50 pounds of methamphetamine discovered in a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Lebec, announced the Kern County District Attorney.
On April 27, 2026, a Kern County jury found David Mendoza and Ismael Gonzalez Jr. each guilty of one count of possession for sale of a controlled substance, one count of transportation for sale of a controlled substance, and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. The jury also found true that the substance possessed by the men contained methamphetamine, which was over 20 kilograms.
The case dates back to Jan. 5, 2026, at around 4 p.m., when deputies pulled over the defendants’ vehicle on southbound Interstate 5 near Lebec. Deputies said they saw the driver commit several vehicle code violations, including illegal window tint, an illegal lane change, and an invalid license plate.
The driver, David Mendoza, and the passenger, Ismael Gonzalez Jr., were contacted before deputies searched the vehicle. Deputies found and seized approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine.
David Mendonza, left, and Ismael Gonzalez Jr., right, were both found guilty on several charges related to the transportation of 50 pounds of methamphetamine on the I-5 near Lebec. Photo: Kern County District Attorney.
“Illegal substances are often catalysts for severe violence and devastation within our communities,” stated Cynthia Zimmer, Kern County DA. “Holding accountable those who distribute and transport them, especially in such large quantities, is a critical step toward reducing that damage. The scale of drugs involved in this case is significant and under the law, warrants substantial penalties.”
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Mendoza and Gonzalez Jr. are set to be sentenced on May 28, 2026. Each faces up to 19 years in prison.