United States Drug Enforcement Administration

RENO – A northern Nevada man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 188 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine. The government recommended life in prison.

“This defendant chose to flood our communities with pure poison for profit, completely indifferent to the lives he ruined and the families he tore apart,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “A sentence of 188 months ensures that his career as a poison peddler is officially over, and it serves as a stark warning to anyone else thinking they can operate a drug conspiracy: we will hunt you down, dismantle your network, and lock you away where you can no longer harm the public.”

“Methamphetamine and fentanyl remain at the forefront of the drug crisis devastating Americans,” said David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which covers Nevada. “Drug criminals continue to exploit our communities for profit despite the severe harm they cause. Today's sentencing reinforces our unyielding commitment to holding offenders accountable and securing justice. DEA stands united with our federal partners to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

According to court documents, from December 16, 2022, to June 19, 2023, Max Vaneeten operated a drug trafficking organization based in Fallon, Nevada. He conspired with co-defendants Tasia Ratti and Chace Young to possess and distribute large quantities of crystal methamphetamine through the greater Nevada area. On June 18, 2023, Vaneeten was stopped in California. Law enforcement found methamphetamine, cocaine, and cash. In total, about one pound of cocaine and about 35 pounds of methamphetamine were distributed during the drug trafficking conspiracy. 

Vaneeten pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

Ratti was sentenced to 97 months in prison and Young was sentenced to 87 months in prison. 

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Melinda Brewer prosecuted the case.