San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Ronald Butera (46) of San Francisco and Robert Pritchard (46), of San Francisco, have been charged in connection to narcotics trafficking in the Mission District. San Francisco Police seized approximately nine pounds of narcotics and over $630,000 in US currency from the pair when they were arrested on May 30, 2024. Both men were scheduled to be arraigned on June 4, 2024. Mr. Pritchard is charged with three counts of possession for sale of ketamine (H&S 11379.2), one count of possession for sale of cocaine (H&S 11351), one count of possession for sale of MDMA (H&S 11378) and one count of loitering to commit controlled substance act offenses (H&S 11352(a)). Mr. Butera is charged with one count of possession for sale of cocaine (H&S 11351), and one count of loitering to commit controlled substance act offenses (H&S 11352(a)). “Public safety in the Mission District must remain a top priority for law enforcement agencies in San Francisco,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. I would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their investigation, arrest of these individuals and for seizing this vast quantity of drugs from our streets.” According to court records, at the conclusion of a San Francisco Police Department investigation on May 30, 2024, an undercover officer walked up to the RV parked at 17th Street and Shotwell Street and asked Mr. Pritchard for ketamine. Mr. Pritchard then allegedly offered the undercover officer 0.5 grams of ketamine for $40. Prosecutors allege that once the deal was agreed to, Mr. Butera gave Mr. Pritchard the ketamine, who exchanged it with the officer for $40. San Francisco Police arrested Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Butera and seized $630,240 in cash, over 4 pounds of Ketamine, over 4 pounds of Cocaine, and more than one pound of MDMA.
The next court date for Mr. Butera is June 17, 2024, for the preliminary hearing in this matter. The District Attorney’s Office moved to have him detained pending trial because of the public safety risk he poses. The court set no bail for him. Prior to arraignment, the court set bail in the amount of $25,000 for Mr. Pritchard, which he made and was subsequently released. He did not appear for arraignment and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Court Numbers:
24010064, Butera
24010065, Pritchard
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