MONTEBELLO, Calif., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The husband of the mayor of Montebello, Calif., Monday pleaded not guilty to felony charges of selling drugs near a school.
Ruben Guerrero, 44, was arrested last month on suspicion of making methamphetamine and narcotics sales, and his bail was set at $60,000. He pleaded not guilty Monday to six felony drug charges and faces 11 years in prison if convicted, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A Los Angeles County sheriff's investigation began in September after local police said they suspected Guerrero, the husband of Mayor Christina Cortez, was selling methamphetamine.
Investigators said they spotted Guerrero selling drugs near the Montebello Intermediate School. He allegedly used his home as a base of operations.
Search warrants were served at the family home and at the house of the mayor's 89-year-old grandmother.
Last year, authorities investigated a suspicious fire that burned Cortez's car.
The vehicle was mostly driven by Guerrero, Cortez told police at the time.
Montebello Councilman Frank Gomez sought a restraining order against Guerrero earlier this year.
Gomez said Guerrero had made threats against him, once through voice mail and once at a council meeting.
The restraining order was denied in January, the Times said.
Cortez told the Times at the time of her husband's arrest she was disappointed and shocked.
"I would urge everyone and the public to let this investigation take its course," she said.
