LEAD METHAMPHETAMINE DISTRIBUTOR FROM
SW WASHINGTON DRUG RING SENTENCED
ALEJANDRO CHAVARRIA-ROMO, 29, of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to 75 months' imprisonment today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma by U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton, following his conviction for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. In sentencing CHAVARRIA-ROMO, Judge Leighton noted that the sentence is meant "to take into account the lives that are being devastated in this part of the country by the use and trafficking of methamphetamine."
CHAVARRIA-ROMO was the principal distributor for a methamphetamine distribution ring centered in southern Washington, whereby pounds of methamphetamine were being transported into the Camas, Washington, area from Portland, Oregon, and thereafter distributed by others.
The joint investigation began in January 2005, when law enforcement was able to get an undercover DEA agent introduced to CHAVARRIA-ROMO. In recorded conversations CHAVARRIA-ROMO bragged about the quality and quantity of his methamphetamine and his multiple distributors.
CHAVARRIA-ROMO sold the undercover agent a quarter pound of methamphetamine. Tests of the methamphetamine showed it was 93% pure. CHAVARRIA-ROMO and co-conspirator BALDEMAR-MARTINEZ-AVILA were arrested following the sale of four pounds of methamphetamine to undercover agents.
Several individuals have already pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy:
BALDEMAR-MARTINEZ-AVILA, 38, of Portland, Oregon, who acted as a methamphetamine transporter, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
JANICE CHANDLER, 46, of Washougal, Washington, who acted as a methamphetamine distributor, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
YVETTE BONNEAU, 42, of Washougal, Washington, who acted as a methamphetamine distributor, pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
DEBORAH OLSON, 52, of Puyallup, Washington, who acted as a methamphetamine distributor, pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
DOUGLAS FLEISCHMAN, 44, of Camas, who acted as a methamphetamine distributor, pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
STEVEN COX, 42, of Camas, who acted as a methamphetamine distributor, pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.
The case is being investigated by DEA; Camas, Washington, Police Department; and the Clark-Skamania Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau and Clackamas County (OR) Sheriff's Office.
