SEATTLE – The Arlington, Washington based leader of a prolific and violent drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty this week to federal drug, gun, and money laundering crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Cesar Valdez-Sanudo, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and carrying...

MIAMI – Adalberto Fructuoso Comparan-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Fruto,” the former mayor of Aguililla, Mexico and, according to the allegations, a leader of the United Cartels in Michoacán, Mexico, made his initial appearance in federal court in Miami, Florida today after his extradition from Guatemala. A South Florida grand jury returned an...

TACOMA, Wash. – Multiple members of a methamphetamine trafficking ring were indicted last week in U.S. District Court for seven federal felonies related to their drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Some of the conspirators, have been charged in state court over the last ten years, but fled the...

POCATELLO, Idaho – After a four-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Pocatello found Adam Lee Vallely 46, of Pocatello, Idaho, guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to...

SPOKANE, Wash. – On June 3, 2022, United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Lorenzo Jimenez Alanis, 47, of Mabton, Washington, to 15 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, along with downloading and possessing a large collection of child pornography. Judge Mendoza also ordered Alanis to serve five...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Roderick L. Robinson, 55, of Port St. Joe, Florida, also known as “Raggedy” and “Rags,” was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for his part in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence. “Those...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Brian Stanton, 38, of Athens, Georgia, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison following his trial conviction on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the...

Seattle – A father and son who ran a multimillion-dollar illegal marijuana business in Monroe, Washington, were each sentenced to five-year prison terms today, on drug and money laundering charges. Kenneth Warren Rhule, 28, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana and laundering...

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Derrick Samuel Lewis (51, Sarasota) guilty of conspiracy, possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Lewis...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Edrick D. Jackson (28, Lake City) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and three counts of distribution of cocaine base (also known as “crack” cocaine). Jackson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in...