BISMARCK – A Washington man is facing the consequences of his actions after being sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
David Saul Salazar, 49, of Packwood, Washington, was sentenced by Chief Judge Daniel L. Hovland on March 18, 2019, for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Salazar was also found guilty of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
The investigation into Salazar’s activities began when a vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped by Berthold Police Chief. Inside the vehicle, authorities found approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine and multiple firearms. Salazar’s co-defendants, Gregorio Capetillo and Luis Parra Magana, were also arrested and charged in connection with the case.
Further investigation by the Ward County Narcotics Task Force, DEA, HSI, and ATF revealed that Salazar was an admitted member of the Surenos gang, which is affiliated with the Mexican Mafia. The organization had previously made multiple trips to distribute multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine.
Salazar’s co-defendants, Gregorio Capetillo and Luis Parra Magana, were previously sentenced by Judge Hovland to 41 months and 10 years in federal prison, respectively.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy A. Ensrud prosecuted the case, bringing Salazar to justice for his crimes.
The case was investigated by the Berthold Police Department, Ward County Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Salazar’s 15-year sentence, which will be followed by five years of supervised release, serves as a reminder of the severity of the consequences for those involved in methamphetamine trafficking and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat this crime.
Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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