Sunnyside Man Sentenced to Ten Years Imprisonment for Selling Drugs Within the Boundaries of the Yakama Nation

Yakima, Washington – On August 22, 2023, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Jesse Robledo, 36, of Sunnyside, Washington, to 10 years in federal prison after his guilty plea to Distribution of Fifty Grams or More of Actual Methamphetamine.  Robledo will also begin five years of court supervision after he is released from custody.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings – between May 7, 2021, and July 14, 2021 – on three separate occasions, Robledo, who is not a Native American, entered the Yakama Nation and sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation.  At the time of this offense, Robledo already had a lengthy criminal history.  He previously had been convicted of bail jumping, residential burglary, first degree identity theft, first degree theft, forgery, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref, the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Washington, commended the efforts of the FBI Task Force in targeting individuals selling drugs within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation. “The United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute individuals who are selling drugs within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation. When dangerous narcotics enter our communities, we see an increase in violent crime. Holding individuals accountable who are dealing drugs and removing these narcotics from our streets will make all of our neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger.” 

United States Attorney Waldref previously had announced in May 2022 that the FBI increased resources to further address violent crime in Yakima County, within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation.  The purpose of this FBI Task Force is to disrupt gang activity, weapons trafficking, narcotics distribution, and to eradicate violent crime in Eastern Washington.

Following the sentencing, Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell stated, “The FBI Task Force once again proved its effectiveness in combating illegal drugs and violent crime in Yakima County.  In this case, FBI special agents and local law enforcement removed a career criminal from the Yakama Nation, making a huge impact on the safety of everyone living within the Yakama Nation.”

“Mr. Robledo knew he was distributing these potentially deadly drugs on the Yakama Indian Reservation” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “The work of our investigators and partners has resulted in a 10-year prison sentence and is another step in our effort at making the reservation a safer place.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.  

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