BOISE, Idaho – In a brazen attempt to avoid arrest, a California duo brought chaos to the streets of Twin Falls, Idaho, and now they’re paying the price. Arcenio Sosa-Solorio, 27, and his co-defendant Bonifacio Carlos-Tafolla, 24, were sentenced to prison terms for their roles in a marijuana distribution ring that went horribly wrong.
On December 2, 2017, Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio traveled from California to Idaho, armed with 25 pounds of marijuana and handguns. The duo’s plan was to distribute the illicit substance to an undercover police officer in an empty parking lot. However, when the undercover officer signaled, other officers attempted to arrest the men, and chaos erupted.
Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio fled from officers, with Sosa-Solorio brandishing a pistol as he ran. The situation took a deadly turn when Sosa-Solorio fired his handgun, nearly striking the undercover officer. The officer managed to knock the gun out of Sosa-Solorio’s hands and apprehend him. Carlos-Tafolla was found nearby, and officers discovered his loaded .40 caliber pistol and a stash of marijuana.
A total of 35 pounds of marijuana was found in the vehicle, and both men were arrested and charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and distribution of marijuana. U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced the sentencing, which included 147 months in prison for Sosa-Solorio and 106 months for Carlos-Tafolla, followed by three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, the Twin Falls Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in coordination with the Office of the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney, Grant P. Loebs.
The sentencing is a significant victory for law enforcement and a reminder of the dangers of marijuana trafficking. As part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has made reducing violent crime a top priority. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reinvigorated PSN, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy.
The sentencing of Sosa-Solorio and Carlos-Tafolla serves as a warning to those involved in marijuana trafficking: the consequences of their actions can be severe and long-lasting. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates on the sentencing of those involved in this and other marijuana trafficking operations.
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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