Peter Mendiola Diego Sentenced to Prison in Ice Trafficking Case

          SHAWN N. ANDERSON, Acting United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant PETER MENDIOLA DIEGO, age 48, from Tamuning, was sentenced yesterday in District Court to a 63-month term of imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Court also ordered 3 years of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a mandatory $100 assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

          On February 24, 2016, DIEGO entered a guilty plea to an Information that charged Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). The investigation revealed that DIEGO and others arranged to have over 831.6 grams of methamphetamine mailed from California to his place of employment in Guam. Forensic analysis determined the drugs were 97.3% pure. Federal agents also seized U.S. currency, including $237,230.00 from defendant’s residence. The money was owed to DIEGO’s source of supply for ice. Defendant agreed to the forfeiture of the seized funds.

          U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. case was prosecuted by Belinda Alcantara, an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Guam.