Yakima Couple Sentenced For Methamphetamine Distribution

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose Trevino Gallegos, aka Joe T. Gallegos, age 48, and Erin Kathleen Honeycutt, aka Erin Kathleen Scott, age 34, both of Yakima, Washington, were sentenced for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle sentenced Gallegos to a 210 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 60 month term of court supervision upon release from Federal prison. Honeycutt was sentenced to a 90 month term of imprisonment and a 48 month term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in March and April of 2013, Yakima DEA Drug Task Force officers made multiple purchases of methamphetamine from Gallegos. On April 12, 2013, officers executed search warrants for Gallegos' vehicles and his residence in Yakima. Gallegos was arrested in one of the vehicle with a loaded pistol and Honeycutt was arrested at the residence, where officers discovered illegal narcotics and multiple firearms. Both Gallegos and Honeycutt have multiple prior felony convictions and admitted to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "This prosecution was made possible by the hard work of members of the Yakima DEA Drug Task Force, the Yakima Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The citizens of Yakima are fortunate not only to have the support of their local law enforcement agencies for the continued operation of the Task Force, but also for those agencies' support of the cross-designation of the Task Force detectives to work within the Drug Enforcement Administration. Having state officers that are also commissioned to enforce Federal narcotics laws enhances the prosecution of methamphetamine dealers. It makes Yakima a safer place."

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

13-CR-2068-FVS