07/29/2009
Woman Sentenced for Role in Methamphetamine Distribution Ring
Eugene, Ore. – Maribel Flores-Chavez, 33, Springfield, Oregon was sentenced on July 28, 2009, by U. S. District Court Judge Michael R. Hogan to serve 46 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The sentencing followed the guilty plea by Flores-Chavez on April 7, 2009. Earlier this year, Judge Hogan sentenced Israel Zarco-Solorio to 70 months in prison and Joel Ortiz-Silva to 63 months in prison for their involvement in the drug distribution ring. In 2007, defendant’s husband, Jorge Alcantar-Garcia, received 46-months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
The case arose in the summer of 2007 through an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield Police Department. Flores-Chavez was arrested on March 6, 2008, after search warrants were served by agents at her Springfield, Oregon residence and a local storage unit. In her home, agents seized more than $19,000 in U.S. currency along with scales and packaging material. In the storage unit, agents found more than one pound of methamphetamine and digital scales. The search of locations connected to defendant’s co-conspirators resulted in the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, scales, firearms and over $50,000 in U.S. currency.
The Eugene Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Springfield Police Department, assisted by the Lane County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, successfully investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet handled the prosecution of the case.
