Man Implicates Former Deputy Police Chief In Heroin Scheme

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a Fresno man has pleaded guilty to conspiring with Fresno's former deputy police chief to buy and sell heroin.

Acting United States Attorney Phillip Talbert says Monday that according to 42-year-old Rafael Guzman's plea agreement, Fresno Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster contacted him to acquire heroin to sell to a third party.

Talbert says Guzman is scheduled to be sentenced in August. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Foster was the No. 2 official at the Fresno Police Department until his arrest a year ago on charges of distributing oxycodone, heroin and marijuana along with six others, including two nephews. He remains free from jail.

His attorney, Marshall Hodgkins, tells the Fresno Bee that Foster denies taking part in drug dealing and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.