SPOKANE, Wash. – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Michael Ryan Shoemaker, 35, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced in federal court in Yakima for Distribution of Fifty Grams or More of Pure (Actual) Methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Stanley...

MEDFORD, Ore.—On September 7, 2022, a San Diego, California man was sentenced to federal prison for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from Southern California to Southern Oregon for redistribution and sale. Martin Jesus Velasco, 39, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. According...

HOUSTON – The seventh and final member involved in a synthetic narcotics distribution network has been ordered to federal prison, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Daniel C. Comeaux and U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Frank Gonzalez, 61, Mesa, Arizona, pleaded guilty Aug...

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge last week sentenced a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer to 2 years and 3 months in federal prison for participating in a narcotics-trafficking conspiracy. United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt on Thursday, September 1st sentenced ex-TSA Officer Ronald McCrea, 32, who pleaded...

ALPINE – A Mexican national was sentenced last week to 108 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. According to court documents, on January 28, 2022, a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducted a traffic stop on a black BMW SUV driven by Efren Derma-Dominguez, 26. After a...

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – Nino Buggs, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, butyryl fentanyl and U-47700, was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who handled the case, stated that...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Following a four-week trial, a federal jury has convicted Earnest Baker, 36, of Rochester, NY, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distributing cocaine and fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Everardo Rodriguez and Matthew T. McGrath...

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Steven Mojica Medina, 34, of Jamestown, NY, with distribution of heroin, fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl causing death, narcotics conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession of...

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Denver Komenda, 47, Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a...

SEATTLE, Wash. – he Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. In August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 26 states. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend...