Montebello mayor's husband
A view of City Hall in Montebello, where the mayor's husband is facing prosecution for allegedly selling drugs. He pleaded not guilty Monday to six charges. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
November 25, 2013, 4:08 p.m.
The husband of Montebello's mayor pleaded not guilty Monday to six felony drug charges of selling methamphetamine multiple times to an undercover sheriff's detective.
Ruben Guerrero, 44, allegedly sold drugs to a detective in audio- and video-recorded transactions in a parking lot across from Montebello Intermediate School. The alleged incidents occurred three times from Sept. 26 to Oct. 15, prosecutors said.
Guerrero was charged with three felony counts each of possessing a controlled substance for sale and the sale or transportation of a controlled substance, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Guerrero was arrested Oct. 17 as he was leaving his home. He is out of jail on $60,000 bail.
Authorities have said Guerrero was the only one in his household implicated in the alleged drug sales. He lives with his wife, Montebello Mayor Christina Cortez.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began investigating Guerrero after receiving a tip from Montebello police that he was suspected of selling meth.
Guerrero is due back in court Jan. 15 for the setting of his preliminary hearing. If convicted, he faces 11 years in prison.
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