Kings de Monte Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

DENVER – Felipe Nevarez of Alamosa, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents and facts presented at trial and sentencing, Nevarez was a leader in the violent Kings de Monte Gang operating in the San Luis Valley. On April 3, 2019, deputies with the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department encountered Nevarez driving a black BMW near Alamosa and Monte Vista.  He evaded law enforcement, reversing the BMW at top speed down a rural driveway. Nevarez got out of the car and fled into an open field.  After nearly forty-five minutes of searching, law enforcement found Nevarez hiding within arm’s reach of a large bag of methamphetamine and in possession of more than $16,000 in cash. At the time, Nevarez had several state warrants for his arrest. This federal conviction was Nevarez’s ninth adult felony, including three prior drug distribution convictions. 

United States District Court Judge Robert Blackburn handed down the sentence on August 10, 2021, following Nevarez’s conviction at jury trial on April 15, 2021.  Nevarez was also ordered to forfeit over $16,000 in narcotics sales proceeds.   

“We will prosecute violent gangsters no matter where they operate in our state, said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch. “Nevarez’s conviction and justly deserved sentence should serve as a warning to gangs in the San Luis Valley.”

“The distribution of meth in rural communities can have devasting affects that go beyond those associated with taking the drug,” said Eric Balliet, deputy special agent in charge, HSI Denver. “HSI and its law enforcement partners work tirelessly to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved in producing and selling this poison to keep our communities safe.”

Homeland Security Investigations, the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department, the Alamosa Police Department, and Immigrations Customs and Enforcement conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Graves handled the prosecution of the case.

CASE NUMBER:  19-cr-00271-REB-JMC.

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