Felon Gets 13 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Conviction
Las Vegas, Nev. – A convicted felon who pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute almost one kilo of methamphetamine and unlawfully possessing several stolen firearms, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release, announced Daniel G. Bogden, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Jaime Barragan, 32, of Las Vegas, was sentenced on Thursday, April 14, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro. Barragan pleaded guilty on September 13, 2010, to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
In October 2009, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization believed to be operating in the Las Vegas Valley and led by Barragan. Over the next four months, ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the organization and made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Barragan totaling about 60 grams. On March 25, 2010, just prior to the execution of a federal search warrant at Barragan's residence, Barragan was arrested as he was departing in his vehicle. Authorities searched the vehicle, and recovered approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine and $1,500 in cash. During the search of the home, authorities recovered approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a closet which housed the air conditioning unit, approximately $15,000 in cash, and three stolen handguns. Barragan is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has a prior felony conviction in Nevada for possession of a controlled substance.
Two other men who participated in the conspiracy were also charged and convicted. Jose Luis Salgado, 33, and Gustavo Elizonlde Ponce, 30, both of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and were sentenced to 70 months and 14 months, respectively, in prison. All three defendants were Mexican citizens who were illegally present within the United States at the time of the offense.
The case was investigated by ATF and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley W. Giles.
