Bakersfield Man Sentenced in ‘Operation Price is Right’

FARGO - First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Jordheim announced that on March 25, 2013, Henry Lee Paredez, Jr., 34, of Bakersfield, Calif., was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to 324 months (27 years) in prison for his role in a large scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering conspiracy that was the subject of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation entitled “Operation Price is Right.” As part of the sentence, Paredez, Jr. was
ordered to forfeit $25,000 in cash.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Jordheim said, “The stiff sentences sought by federal prosecutors in Operation Price is Right should be a warning to drug trafficking organizations about the risk of doing business in the Red River Valley. Investigations like Operation Price is Right protect our community by targeting the leaders of these organizations and bringing them to justice.”

Jordheim added, “I also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of Assistant United States Attorney and OCDETF Chief Chris Myers and his team from our office and from local, state and federal law enforcement in producing the outstanding results of Operation Price is Right. These dedicated men and women continue to work hard and produce great results for the citizens of North Dakota and the United States.”

On January 17, 2013, Ariana Jasmin Paredez, 23, wife of Paredez, Jr., was sentenced to 24 months for money laundering conspiracy. Henry Rosas Paredez, Sr., 66, was also sentenced to nine months for money laundering conspiracy.

During the course of the conspiracy that was the subject of the Operation Price is Right investigation, the organization transported approximately six (6) pounds of methamphetamine from sources of supply in Minneapolis-St.Paul and Bakersfield, California. This methamphetamine was distributed in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Additional defendants who have previously been sentenced in Operation Price is Right include:

• Christina Barker - Moorhead, MN
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 276 months
  
• Mary Roberts - Fargo, ND
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 228 months
  
• Annette Avila - Fargo, ND
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 216 months
  
• Ryan William Johnson - Valley City, ND
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 210 months
  
• Betty Ann Schweigert - Fargo, ND
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 192 months
  
• Thomas William Joseph Altringer - Moorhead, MN
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances -72 months
  
• Holly Thomas - Moorhead, MN
  Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 33 months
  

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Moorhead and Fargo Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Myers prosecuted the case.