In a shocking revelation, Ana Costilla, 38, and Jorge Hernandez Venegas, 24, both residents of Idaho Falls, were recently sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a massive methamphetamine trafficking ring.
On January 23, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted the duo, along with Jesus Beltran-Zazusta, 26, a Mexican national living in Victor, Idaho, on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation, led by the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered a sophisticated operation where Costilla was arranging for a co-conspirator to transport ten pounds of methamphetamine from California to her residence in Idaho Falls.
On December 2, 2024, Chief United States District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Venegas to 108 months in federal prison, which is equivalent to nine years, followed by five years of supervised release.
On January 6, 2025, Judge Nye handed down a 150-month prison sentence, which is twelve and a half years, to Costilla, along with five years of supervised release. Beltran-Zazusta, who pleaded guilty, is scheduled for sentencing on March 3, 2025.
The discovery of one pound of methamphetamine in Venegas’ vehicle, followed by the seizure of an additional nine pounds from Costilla’s home, provided the crucial evidence needed to bring the defendants to justice.
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit commended the hard work of the law enforcement agencies involved in the case, highlighting the importance of their efforts in disrupting the methamphetamine trafficking network.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane prosecuted the case, bringing the defendants to account for their crimes. The sentencing of Costilla and Venegas sends a strong message that methamphetamine trafficking will not be tolerated in Idaho Falls.
Related Federal Cases
- Jonathan Joseph Monaco, Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Trafficking, Idaho 2023 · Idaho
- Ernestine Delafuente, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2020 · Idaho
- Justin Gomez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2017 · Idaho
- Francisco Martinez Campos, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2019 · Idaho
- Steven Feller, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2021 · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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