After a two-day trial in federal court in Muskogee, an Arizona man, who was stopped with drugs on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County in May, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced recently.

Julio Cesar Ortega, 29, faces 10 years to life in prison and up to a $4 million fine. His sentencing will be scheduled at a later date after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

Sperling said the charges resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol after the May 3 traffic stop. As a result of the traffic stop, about two pounds of methamphetamine was seized from inside the dash of the vehicle.

Ortega and his passenger, Fernando Hernandez, rented a car in Phoenix, Ariz., concealed the drugs in the dashboard and were traveling to Springdale, Ark., when they were stopped, Sperling said.

"Nearly two pounds of very high quality methamphetamine was seized," Sperling said. "This meth 'ice' was in four bundles that were tested by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation criminalists. The purity levels were 90 to 97 percent."

Fernandez previously pleaded guilty to an indictment and is awaiting sentencing.