News

Geoffrey W. Ancheta, 40, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

A large-scale Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation and prosecution resulted in the conviction of 11 Idaho defendants on federal drug trafficking charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  The investigation involved the cooperative efforts of 10 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. 

Steven Greenleaf Blodgett, 67, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

Jesus M. Beltran-Zazusta, a/k/a Jesus Zazueta-Beltran, 26, a Mexican national unlawfully in the United States and living in Victor, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

Chad Joseph Longley, 45, of Boise, was sentenced to 141 months in federal prison with 20 years of supervised release for one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

Ana Costilla, 38, and Jorge Hernandez Venegas, 24, both of Idaho Falls, were sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.  Chief United States District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Costilla to twelve and a half years and Venegas to nine years in federal prison for their roles in the conspiracy.

Jeremy Orvil Johnson, 37, of Blackfoot, was sentenced to 75 months and 23 days in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

Jose Luis Arteaga, 39, of Rupert, was sentenced to 13 and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

Efren Alexander Aviles-Pacheco, 29, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, illegally living in Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Aviles-Pacheco to serve 10 years of supervised release, but advised Aviles-Pacheco that he will most certainly be deported to Mexico after serving his sentence.

Andrew George Haney, 41, of Torrance, California, and Anthony Michael Stratton, 35, of Pocatello, were sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

Kenneth Dwayne Daly, 46, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in Eastern Idaho.  “The justice achieved in these cases reflects how the strong partnerships between my office and state and local law enforcement remove dangerous criminals from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.  “We will continue to focus on prosecuting drug traffickers in all parts of Idaho, and I am grateful for the talented officers, investigators, and prosecutors making a difference in this fight.”