2 Men Expected to Be Indicted for Selling Cocaine Near School

SANTA ANA — Two Santa Ana men face federal indictments for allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover agent near Willard Intermediate School, authorities are expected to announce today at a press conference.

U.S. Atty. Paul Seaves refused to provide details about the federal charges against the two men, including their names, but said the indictments were part of an effort “to clean up a particular area near a school where drugs were being sold.

“This is Santa Ana’s initiative,” he said.

One of the men allegedly sold about 750 grams of cocaine to undercover agents. One of them had a gun, he said.

Diane Thomas, spokesperson for the Santa Ana Unified School District, said the two men were taken before a federal judge, who determined that the circumstances warranted federal prosecution.

Thomas said Santa Ana police had posted signs in the area warning that sale of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school is in violation of a federal statute.

“What this is is a symbol of the increased cooperation between the Police Department and the school, and the Police Department’s intent to make neighborhoods around the school safe,” Thomas said. “We’re certainly grateful for their efforts.”