Riccy Mabel Cruz-Alvarez faces federal charges for knowingly possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with intent to distribute in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood in August 2024. The case is scheduled for trial from May 4-8, 2026, in what appears to be a straightforward drug distribution prosecution in one of the city's most troubled areas.
Judge Chhabria modified the standard jury questionnaire to probe potential jurors' views on drug laws and personal experiences with addictive substances. The court will ask prospective jurors directly: 'Have you, or has anyone close to you, had any experiences with fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, or any other addictive drugs?' A follow-up question asks whether such experiences would 'affect your ability to serve as an unbiased juror in this case.'
The questionnaire also addresses the geographic and political sensitivities surrounding the case. Recognizing the defendant's immigration status, Judge Chhabria included a pointed question: 'The defendant in this case is from Honduras and is not a United States citizen. Do you have strong views about our country's immigration system that could impact your ability to serve as an unbiased juror in this case?'
The court gave parties until noon on Friday, April 10, 2026, to file any objections to the proposed questionnaire modifications. The order stems from proposals submitted by both the government and defense counsel, though the specific content of those proposals was not detailed in the court's order.
Judge Chhabria also tailored questions to address the Tenderloin's unique challenges with drug-related crime and homelessness. The questionnaire asks whether prospective jurors have 'strong views about conditions in the Tenderloin neighborhood and how law enforcement has addressed those conditions that could affect your ability to serve as a juror in this case.'
The court modified standard questions about the criminal justice system, replacing two existing questions with a broader inquiry: 'Do you have any strong views about how well the criminal justice system works, including about protections for people accused of crimes or about protections for people who are victims of crimes?' The questionnaire also asks jurors to identify their 'trusted sources of news.'
The case represents a typical federal drug prosecution in an area that has become a focal point for debates over drug policy and enforcement. The Tenderloin has been the subject of intensive law enforcement efforts and policy discussions as San Francisco grapples with open-air drug markets and related public safety concerns.
The trial's brief five-day schedule suggests a relatively straightforward prosecution, though the court's careful attention to potential juror bias on immigration and drug policy issues indicates awareness of the broader social and political context surrounding such cases in San Francisco.