A Natrona County resident accused of involvement in a methamphetamine distribution ring waived his preliminary hearing Thursday morning in Natrona County Circuit Court.

Patrick Shane Lorenzo, 38, is charged with conspiracy to deliver meth, two counts of delivering meth and two counts of meth possession with intent to distribute. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $25,000.

Court documents say agents with the Casper office of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation were looking into a drug trafficking organization and allegedly found Lorenzo to be one of a number of people who were obtaining and selling meth.

Using special agents operating in an undercover capacity, as well as confidential informants, DCI determined Lorenzo was distributing methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.

One confidential source told special agents that Lorenzo would get large amounts of meth from Denver, sometimes up to two pounds. Lorenzo would make trips to Denver two to three times each week, and occasionally distribute up to a pound of meth in a single day, according to the source.

Lorenzo, the source reportedly told agents, had been dealing meth for about two years.

A criminal history report for Lorenzo, as reflected in the affidavit, showed previous charges of forgery, theft, burglary, drug possession and meth possession with intent to distribute.

Having waived his preliminary hearing, Lorenzo will see his case bound over to district court for trial. He remained in custody at the time of Thursday's court hearing.

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