METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 7.25 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

PHOENIX - On May 9, 2012, Roberto Benjamin Chavez, 58, of Yuma, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to seven years and three months in federal prison. Chavez had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

            According to the plea agreement, Chavez was involved in a methamphetamine distribution ring between September 2010 and April 2011. Chavez purchased methamphetamine from Mexican based drug suppliers and received the methamphetamine from a body carrier, who concealed the drugs on her body to transport them from Mexico into the United States. In four separate buys, all of which were monitored by law enforcement, Chavez sold a combined total of one pound of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine Chavez sold ranged from 88% to 93.8% pure methamphetamine.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being handled by Kristen Brook, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-11-1126-DGC          
RELEASE NUMBER:   2012-117(Chavez)

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/