Spokane, WA – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that James Gerald Garza, 42, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute the drug, a crime to which he previously pleaded guilty. Chief United States District Judge Rosanna M. Peterson imposed a 10 year term of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of court supervision upon Garza's release from prison. Garza has a lengthy criminal history, including prior drug trafficking convictions.

According to court documents, Garza sold drugs in the Tri-Cities area on several occasions during the spring of 2010. On July 8, 2010, Garza was arrested in Kennewick, Washington, as he prepared to sell more drugs. He was in possession of approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine (also known as "crystal meth"), as well as other drugs. At the time of his arrest, Garza was on work release from a prior conviction.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "The United States Attorney's Office will continue to prosecute aggressively drug traffickers operating in the Eastern District of Washington. This case is yet one more example of the effective and successful cooperative law enforcement efforts in this District."

This investigation was conducted by the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

2:10-CR-6069-RMP

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