News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2007
Contact: Terri K. Wyatt
Special Agent/PIO
Number: 214-366-6900

Leflore County Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison
Organized Cell of Narcotics Traffickers Sold Large Quantities of Methamphetamine ICE

FEB 14 --MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that EDGAR ORTEGA-ZALETA, age 34, of LeFlore County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, 60 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment Fee of $100.00.

“ORTEGA-ZALETA pled guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in September 2006. Co-defendants SUSAN ORTEGA, age 34, and ANTHONY YBARRA, age 35, both also of LeFlore County, pled guilty to similar charges in September 2006. Both remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service, awaiting sentencing,” commented U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The investigation that led to the defendants’ arrests began in January 2005 by the DA’s Drug Task Force in District 16 (LeFlore County), assisted by Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Forest Service, and other local, state, and federal agencies. The defendants were part of an organized cell of narcotics traffickers in the LeFlore County area, who sold large quantities of methamphetamine ICE to undercover agents,” recalled U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The Honorable Ronald A. White presided over today’s sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the government.”