Allegedly Distributed Meth in Three Southwest Idaho Counties

BOISE – U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that 12 people were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 13, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distributing methamphetamine, and firearms violations. The tenth and eleventh defendants were arraigned this morning in United States District Court in Boise. The twelfth defendant, Jesus Guadalupe Sanchez, is a fugitive. A jury trial for all defendants has been set for August 13, 2012, at the James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

The indictment alleges that from early November 2011 through May 16, 2012, the defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Canyon, Payette and Washington counties in the District of Idaho. The seven-count indictment charges all of the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, six with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The government is seeking forfeiture of three firearms related to the offenses.

“Methamphetamine trafficking is a danger to Idaho's more rural communities, as well as to its cities,” said Olson. “This investigation and these charges demonstrate that federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutors in Idaho are committed to working together to stop drug dealers, no matter where they try to sell their poison.”

The defendants named in the federal indictment are Jesus Guadalupe Sanchez, 25; Fabian Jordano Beltran, 23; Victor Ruiz, 30; Benjamine L. Vertner, 33; Amy Maria Cavazos, 37; Jacob James Clevenger, 30; Rachel Coblentz, 24; Kristopher Craig Hensley, 26; Johnny A. Tambunga, 39; and Amber Marie Myatt, 25, all of Weiser, Idaho; Patrick Campbell, 31, of Boise; and Michael Dennis Morris, 41, of Ontario, Oregon. Six have been detained pending trial, one has a detention hearing pending, three have been released on conditions, and one is pending release on conditions.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine each carry a mandatory minimum of ten years with the possibility of up to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years in prison, to run consecutively to the sentence imposed on the drug conspiracy charge.

The case is being investigated by the Idaho State Police, with the assistance of the Oregon High Desert Task Force.

An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.