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Press Release

Buhl Man Sentenced to More Than Fifteen Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

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

BOISE – Alejandro Vela, 33 of Buhl, Idaho, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Vela to serve four years of supervised release following his release from prison.  Vela pleaded guilty on August 6, 2015.         

According to the plea agreement, Alejandro Vela sold methamphetamine to an informant on July 31, 2014.  His wife and codefendant, Esmirna Vela, was present during the transaction.  On September 3, 2015, Alejandro Vela agreed to distribute additional methamphetamine to the informant; however, Esmirna Vela showed up instead and sold an ounce of methamphetamine to the informant.  Esmirna Vela pleaded guilty and was sentenced on November 20, 2015, by U.S. District Court Judge Dee V. Benson to 13 months in prison for the offense.  She was sentenced to three years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment, but she will likely be deported.

The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.  The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole. 

The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes.  The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth.  For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org. 

Updated December 2, 2015

Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component