Mexican National Living In Bellevue Sentenced To Prison For Drug Charge

BOISE – Esteban Villegas-Gamez, 39, a Mexican national living in Bellevue, Idaho, was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Villegas-Gamez at the federal courthouse in Boise. Villegas-Gamez pleaded guilty to the charge on May 19, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, Villegas-Gamez admitted he sold methamphetamine and firearms to a person assisting law enforcement as a confidential informant. Villegas-Gamez sold the informant methamphetamine and firearms on numerous occasions beginning in November 2013 until January 2014. Villegas-Gamez admitted that the combined total he sold the informant during the different transactions was in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team. Other agencies that assisted with the investigation include the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Idaho State Police. The Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team includes the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, Sun Valley Police Department, Hailey Police Department, Ketchum Police Department, and Bellevue Marshal’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by 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.