FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Fernando Corrales, 23, of Modesto, charging him with escape from custody, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2022, Corrales was ordered confined at the Turning Point Residential Re-Entry Center in Fresno after a conviction in the District of Oregon for conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin. While Corrales was allowed to be on home confinement, on Feb. 20, 2022, he cut off his ankle monitor and absconded. His whereabouts were unknown until his arrest.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Corrales faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.