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Press Release

Sunnyside Man Sentenced To 174 Months In Federal Prison For Methamphetamine Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Trinidad Jesus Suarez, age 26, of Sunnyside, Washington, was sentenced for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Suarez to a 174 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 60 month term of court supervision upon release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in October, 2012, the Yakima County Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force (LEAD) made multiple purchases of narcotics from Suarez. On November 2, 2012, officers executed state search warrants for Suarez' vehicles and known residences. Suarez was arrested at his girlfriend's residence in Sunnyside, where officers found over 250 grams of actual methamphetamine. Suarez was arrested that day and was been in custody since the arrest. Suarez has multiple prior felony drug offense convictions and admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Suarez pleaded guilty to the charge on February 6, 2014.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "I commend the officers of the Yakima County LEAD Task Force, Yakima County Sheriff's Office, Grandview Police Department, Sunnyside Police Department, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their efforts in investigating this methamphetamine case. Their strong working partnership is reflected by the successful prosecution of this case. Federal and local law enforcement officers in the Eastern District of Washington continue to work together to root out the scourge of drug trafficking in this District. With their assistance, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for traffickers distributing controlled substances in our communities."

This case was investigated by the cooperative efforts of the Yakima County LEAD Task Force, Yakima County Sheriff's Office, Grandview Police Department, Sunnyside Police Department, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

13-CR-2044-EFS

Updated January 29, 2015