A Rancho Cucamonga trucking company and its driver were found guilty Monday by a jury of transporting an illegally overweight load on Long Beach streets, the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.

A court case filed on July 14, 2014 stated that truck driver Guadalupe Martinez was stopped by Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers on April 9, 2014 for driving a Martinez Trucking and Logistic, Inc. truck with a load that exceeded the maximum legal weight limit by over 10 tons, or 21,000 pounds.

Martinez’ truck was only legally allowed to carry a maximum of 67,500 pounds but was hauling a load that weight 88,600 pounds, LBPD officer Sean Parrilla told the court.

Martinez’ attorney unsuccessfully argued that his client’s wide load permit also allowed him to carry a weight in excess of the legal limits, according to the city Prosecutor’s Office.

A Long Beach jury deliberated for 90 minutes on Monday before finding Martinez and Martinez Trucking and Logistic, Inc. guilty of carrying an overweight load and misuse of a permit. Martinez and his company are scheduled to be sentenced February 18 by Superior Court Judge J.D. Lord.

They each face a fine of up to $4,720 plus state-imposed penalties which quadruple the fine. Martinez could also be sentenced to six months in county jail.

“Overweight trucks tear up our roads and pose a significant danger to other motorists,” said City Prosecutor Doug Haubert in a statement. “Due to being overweight, these trucks often cannot brake in time to avoid a collision. The vast majority of trucking companies work hard to comply with the rules, however, all companies need to be held to the same standards. This case was particularly egregious. By our enforcing the law we are trying to ensure a true competitive environment. The public deserves to have safe streets and should not have to worry if the truck next to them will be able to stop in time when traffic slows down.”