Two Co-Conspirators Sentenced Earlier

BOISE – United States Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that Jorge Cruz-Vizcarra, 38, a Mexican national, was sentenced today to 322 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge imposed a 262 month prison term on the methamphetamine distribution charge and a 60 month consecutive sentence on the firearm possession charge. Judge Lodge also ordered Cruz-Gonzalez to forfeit assets and proceeds derived from the offense conduct, including firearms and currency. He pled guilty to the charges on July 2, 2012.

During his plea, Cruz-Vizcarra admitted that between December 1, 2011, and January 13, 2012, he entered into an agreement with co-defendant Lamberto Arroyo-Mora, and others, to distribute methamphetamine in the Magic Valley. Cruz-Vizcarra admitted that he agreed to sell a pound of methamphetamine for $13,000 on January 13, 2012. On that same date, detectives with the Idaho State Police, with assistance from the Jerome County Sheriff’s Office and Jerome Police Department, served a search warrant at Cruz-Vizcarra’s residence in Jerome. Officers located approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $4,300 in cash. Two vehicles were also seized. One of the firearms was discovered in Cruz-Vizcarra’s possession. As part of his plea, he admitted that he possessed that firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

Sentenced earlier in the case were Mexican nationals Lamberto Arroyo-Mora, 30, and jorge Cruz-Gonzalez, 19, formerly living in the Jerome, Idaho, area, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Arroyo-Mora was sentenced on August 7 to 50 months in prison; Cruz-Gonzalez was sentenced on August 20 to seven months.

A federal grand jury indicted the three men on February 15, 2012, on drug conspiracy charges and firearm offenses. The charges are the culmination of a three month investigation by the Idaho State Police into drug trafficking in the Jerome area.

“Mr. Cruz-Vizcarra will pay a heavy price for bringing this dangerously addictive drug to Idaho communities,” said Olson. “Methamphetamine trafficking by foreign nationals is a serious problem that demands a serious response from law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts. State and federal law enforcement officers throughout Idaho will work together to ensure that drug traffickers are caught, prosecuted and convicted.”

The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, with assistance from the Jerome County Prosecutor’s Office, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jerome Police Department.