Final Man Sentenced in Cocaine Distribution Ring
BOISE – Jesse Jake Valdez, 30, of Victoria, Texas, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Valdez to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term. Valdez pleaded guilty to the charge in August 30, 2011.
According to the plea agreement, some time after 2007, Valdez and co-conspirators Victor Copado, Jesus Raul-Cruz, and Alberto Martinez agreed to distribute cocaine in Idaho. The group transported cocaine from Arizona to Twin Falls, Idaho, where it was sold. In late 2008, investigators with Idaho State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives bought cocaine from Copado, Raul-Cruz, and Valdez.
Valdez is the last of four men to be sentenced in federal court for this conspiracy. In July 2010, Raul-Cruz was sentenced to 87 months in prison. In August 2010, Copado and Martinez were each sentenced to 100 months in prison.
The case was investigated by Idaho State Police Region Four Investigations Division in Jerome and the Boise office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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