The Pemberton drug suspect who, authorities said, hit and injured two New Jersey State Troopers with a car while trying to evade arrest in 2014 heads for sentencing on drug, weapons and obstruction counts.

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Juan Gutierrrez-Valencia, 26, pleaded guilty to a first-degree charge of methamphetamine possesion with intent to distribute, a second-degee count of unlawful possession of a handgun and a fourth-degree obstruction charge, according to the office of acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman.

A third trooper opened fire after Gutierrez-Valencia ran into the officers, and a bullet grazed his arm, authorities said.

Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 10 years with three and a half years of parole ineligibility, combined for all three counts. The 10 year term and parole stipulation apply to the drug charge. Lesser sentences for the weapons and obstruction charges would run concurrently.

Juan-Gutierrez-Valencia (NJ Attorney General's Office)
Juan-Gutierrez-Valencia (NJ Attorney General's Office)
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Gutierrez-Valencia was under investigation in a probe dubbed "Operation Speed Racer." He was apprhended on July 7, 2014 at a Mount Laurel hotel, where he arranged to sell two kilograms of crystal meth to a buyer who was an undercover investigator, authorities said.

The narcotics investigator entered Gutierrez-Valencia's car, where he allegedly was shown the drugs in a black gym bag, exited the car and signaled the NJSPD TEAMS unit to move in. That's when he attempted to flee and hit the troopers, authorities said. A search of the car reportedly yielded the methamphetamines and a stolen 9mm handgun.

Four others arrested in Operation Speed Racer pleaded guilty January 11 and are scheduled for sentencing April 15.

Guadulupe Madrigal-Mejia, 36, Juan Mendez, 48, Antonio Esqueca, 34, all of New Egypt, and Elias "Peligro" Corona-Sanchez, 31, of North Hanover, were arrested July 8, 2014, in a house shared by Madrigal-Mejia, Sanchez and Esqueda on Jacobstown Road, where a deal for two kilograms of black heroin was to take place with an undercover investigator.

Prosecutors are recommending 10 years for Madrigal-Mejia and Corona-Sanchez for their guilty pleas to first-degree heroin distribution counts.

Mendez will be recommended for seven years behind bars for his guilty plea to possession of heroin with intent to distribute, a second-degree offense.

Esqueca of New Egypt, took a guilty plea to a third-degree charge of cocaine possession with intent to distribute. Prosecutors are recommending five years in prison.

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