TACOMA, Wash. – The leader of a methamphetamine trafficking ring was sentenced Friday August 30, 2024, in U.S. District Court for federal felonies related to his drug trafficking. Jesus Venegas-Gatica, 37, of Lakewood, Washington was sentenced to 97 months. At the sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – James Brewer, 36, of Columbia was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl. Evidence presented to the court showed that on April 22, 2022, Brewer and the victim, R.B., discussed the exchange of drugs and that Brewer sent R.B. a...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The leader of an extensive transnational drug trafficking organization was sentenced to 28 years in prison for running a conspiracy that trafficked vast amounts of dangerous drugs to Alaska. According to court documents, Miguel Baez Guevara, a.k.a. “Javi,” 41, a U.S. citizen who was living in Mexico...

EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court to 300 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 180 months for one count of straw purchasing firearms and trafficking in firearms, and 60 months for one count of conspiracy...

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 248 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses after being found in possession of over 500 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms in a stolen vehicle. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents and evidence...

EL PASO, Texas – Twenty-one individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Chuco Tango street gang were arrested Thursday in and around El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and/or the unlawful possession of firearms. The following defendants were indicted...

OMAHA, Neb. – The five state Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, is reminding Midwestern communities to continue education efforts that raise awareness to the life-threatening consequences of fentanyl experimentation and use while recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day...

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Joseph Marion, 41, of St. Petersburg, Fla., to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine; distributing fentanyl; distributing a mixture of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in serious bodily injury; and possessing...

FRESNO, Calif. — An investigation into the death of a correctional officer led to the arrests of three defendants today who are charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and introducing narcotic drugs to an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, California. According to court documents...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a man who sold fentanyl to someone who later suffered a fatal overdose to 10 years in prison. Dylan C. McMikle, 22, of Jackson, Missouri, provided several lines of powdered fentanyl that the 25-year-old victim snorted early...