BOISE – Rigaberto Moreno Sanchez, 33, of Rupert, Idaho, was sentenced today to 168 months in prison followed by five years supervised release for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also sentenced Sanchez to 200 hours of community service. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 27, 2011.

According to the plea agreement, Sanchez admitted that between September 1 and December 15, 2010, he conspired with co-defendant Leaha Annette Rivera and others to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine. Sanchez admitted that on November 18, 2010 and November 19, 2010, he and co-defendant Rivera sold an individual four ounces of methamphetamine. On November 22, 2010, Sanchez and Rivera were stopped by law enforcement in Victorville, California, and found in possession of 442.5 grams of methamphetamine. A quantative analysis performed by the DEA Western Laboratory determined the methamphetamine to be 100% pure. Sanchez was also found in possession of a firearm, which was located in the center console of the vehicle. The government presented evidence at sentencing that Sanchez was a Sureño gang member.

Co-defendant Leaha Rivera, 42, also of Rupert, pled guilty on July 18 to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. She is scheduled to be sentenced at the federal courthouse in Boise on October 11.

A jury trial for two other defendants is set for December 6, 2011.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Boise Police Department.