Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Joseph Gilbert Vigil, age 31, of Northglenn, Colorado, appeared before United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on April 5, 2012, and pleaded guilty to Count I of a Superseding Indictment that charged him with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 40 years' custody and/or a $5,000,000 fine.

The charge relates to Vigil conspiring with others to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine in South Dakota between 2005 and 2010. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ted McBride.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.