IDAHO FALLS MEN SENTENCED IN METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING CASE

A three-month investigation into sales of methamphetamine in the Idaho Falls area has concluded with the sentencing of the last of five defendants.

Jose Ruiz-Barrosso, 29, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Pocatello to 108 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Ruiz was convicted in January of one count of conspiracy and five counts of drug distribution. He is a Mexican national, from the state of Guanajuato.

Antonio Arredondo-Delgado, 26, was also convicted in January of conspiracy and drug distribution. He was sentenced in April to 63 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He, too, is from the town of Romita in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Two other defendants pled guilty to related crimes. Fernando Palacios, 30, was sentenced in April to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine. He is a Mexican national from the state of Guanajuato. William Segura, 20, was sentenced to three years probation and 100 hours of community service for aiding and abetting drug distribution. He is a U.S. citizen, originally from Los Angeles.

The fifth defendant, Maria Eugenia Sanchez, 26, pled guilty in state court to possession of methamphetamine and was given probation.

The ring was broken up after a confidential informant made numerous purchases of methamphetamine from Ruiz-Barosso, also known as "Machine," and others, in Bonneville County, between January and March, 2007. The confidential informant paid approximately $1000 per ounce and bought the drugs in one- or two-ounce quantities. Buys were arranged and made at the defendants' homes, at the Country Corner, and in the Wal-Mart parking lot. On three occasions, baby diapers were used to conceal the methamphetamine.

The investigation was handled by the Bonneville County Drug Task Force, which includes the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and the Idaho Falls Police Department.