Pimentel-Lopez Gets 20 Years For Trafficking Ten Pounds Of Meth In Butte

Butte - Jesus Pimentel-Lopez, of Aguililla, Mexico, was sentenced to 240 months in prison today in United States District Court in Butte on conspiracy charges relating to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine. Pimentel-Lopez had previous been found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, following a two-day jury trial on June 4, 2014 in Butte. Pimentel-Lopez was sentenced by the Honorable Sam E. Haddon who also presided over the trial.

Pimentel-Lopez was engaged in the methamphetamine conspiracy from July 2012 through February 2013. During the course of the conspiracy, Pimentel-Lopez brought methamphetamine to Montana from Idaho and elsewhere for distribution in Butte. Pimentel-Lopez was found responsible for the possession and distribution of 10 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.

Jesus Elizondo, one of Pimentel-Lopez's co-conspirators in this case was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison. Timothy Gardiner, another co-conspirator, was sentenced to 84 months in prison. Jeffrey Lackman was sentenced to 98 months for his role in the conspiracy while Elizabeth Gardiner was sentenced to 48 months.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.