A Pasco man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in a murder and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Domingo Valdovinos, 28, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to a life term in federal prison.
According to court proceedings, Valdovinos was the leader and organizer of a methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy that transported over 50 pounds of methamphetamine per month into the Eastern District of Washington. The organization had ties to Mexico, North Dakota, and Idaho.
In February 2014, a victim identified as D.W. was lured to a residence in Spokane under the guise of resolving a drug debt. Valdovinos and his uncle, Benito Baldovinos, beat the victim with baseball bats, tied him up, and drove him to a remote location in Stevens County. The victim was then doused with gasoline, shot multiple times, and set on fire.
Valdovinos was also convicted of methamphetamine-trafficking offenses and sentenced to two 30-year terms of imprisonment.
The investigation was initially conducted by the Spokane Police Department, Idaho State Police, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department, and Pasco Police Department. The Spokane-based DEA and United States Attorney’s Office became involved after discovering the murder was connected to a methamphetamine-trafficking organization.
At sentencing, Senior Judge Nielsen found that Valdovinos was the leader and organizer of the methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy and noted the heinous nature of the murder. The Judge specifically noted that the amount of drugs trafficked by Valdovinos’ organization was one of the largest he had seen in over twenty years on the Federal bench.
Co-conspirators Benito Baldovinos, Joseph Gillespie, and Dillon Casteel pleaded guilty to their involvement in the murder of D.W. Co-coconspirators Christopher Teuscher and Jorge Mednoza Sanchez pleaded guilty to their involvement in the methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy.
United States Attorney Michael C. Ormsby stated, ‘This case presented a perfect example of the dangers involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs. Not only did the members of this criminal organization distribute a stunning amount of drugs, but they resorted to a very violent murder as part of their operation.’
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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