San Diego

The principal defendant in a 35-defendant methamphetamine drug-ring case pleaded guilty Monday to maintaining a continuing criminal enterprise.

The surprise guilty plea came from Manuel Battaglia, 46, of El Cajon, who also pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States.

Prosecutors said Battaglia was the “No. 1� defendant in the grand jury indictments returned a year ago this month in which architect Paul Thoryk, 47, of El Cajon, was also charged with money laundering.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Edward C. Weiner and Deputy Dist. Atty. Hugh E. McManus said they will be seeking a maximum 20-year sentence for Battaglia.

The criminal enterprise statute carries a mandatory 10-year prison term with a maximum sentence of life.

In a plea-bargain agreement, U.S. District Judge J. Lawrence Irving said that, if he were inclined to impose more than 15 years on the criminal-enterprise count, Battaglia could withdraw his plea and go to trial.

The conspiracy to defraud count carries a maximum five-year term.

The maximum fine on both counts is $2.2 million. Irving set sentencing for Sept. 26.

The indictments, handed down June 16, 1987, followed a two-year investigation. Battaglia’s brother, Jack, and two of his sons were also charged in the case.

Battaglia, who remains free on $500,000 bail, will not testify in the trials of the other co-defendants.