Two men were sentenced in Pocatello yesterday for trafficking cocaine in eastern Idaho, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Both men pleaded guilty on December 7, 2010.

Clifford B. Keith, 35, of Ammon, Idaho, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Keith was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge to serve 48 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $30,000. He must also serve three years on supervised release following his prison term.

Ryan S. Parker, 31, of St. Anthony, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Judge Lodge ordered Parker to serve three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreements, between January 2008 and March 2010, Keith and Parker entered into a conspiracy to obtain and distribute cocaine in the Idaho Falls area. On March 6, 2010, the two were stopped by law enforcement officials heading north on Interstate 15 in Bannock County, Idaho. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a quantity of cocaine the defendants were transporting between Utah and Idaho. The two men admitted that prior to the traffic stop, they had sold in excess of one pound of cocaine in and around Idaho Falls.

The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police and the Bannock County Sheriff's Office.