Bart M. Pitcher, 54, of Preston, Idaho, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. Pitcher was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

Pitcher pleaded guilty to the charge on March 2. According to the plea agreement, Pitcher admitted that between July 2006 and April 28, 2009, he and six co-defendants entered into a conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine.

At sentencing, the court found Mr. Pitcher responsible for distributing in excess of 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in Southeast Idaho from 2007 – 2009. The court also found that Mr. Pitcher supervised and directed others in these drug trafficking activities.

Co-defendant Michael J. Bell, 55, of Pocatello, pleaded guilty in May 2010 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, using a person under the age of eighteen in a drug transaction, and conspiracy to launder money. He was sentenced on July 26, 2010, to 240 months in prison.

All remaining defendants have entered pleas related to these charges and are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, the Chubbuck Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Preston Police Department, the Pocatello Police Department, and DEA.