Juan Carlos Garcia, Meth Trafficking, Idaho 2013

A 30-year prison sentence was handed down to Juan Carlos Garcia, 36, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, for his role in a massive methamphetamine trafficking operation in the region. Garcia pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on August 12, 2013.

Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Garcia to serve 10 years of supervised release and pay a $3,000 fine. This harsh sentence comes on the heels of five co-conspirators being sentenced to lengthy prison terms late last year.

The leader of the organization, Fausto Urias, was sentenced in October 2013 to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Benito Joya, of Rigby, Idaho, was sentenced in October to 121 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.

Marco Antonio Echeverria, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced in December 2013 to serve 97 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine. Erica Rodriguez, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced in December to 92 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.

Misti Chapman, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced in October to 21 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and violating a previously imposed term of supervised release.

According to plea agreements filed in the case, between November 2009 and October 23, 2012, Urias and Garcia conspired to possess and distribute methamphetamine to other individuals in the Idaho Falls area. This operation was led by Urias, who had previously been convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance in Bonneville County, Idaho, on November 9, 2004.

U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson commended the efforts of local, state and federal authorities in dismantling the operation. ‘This drug trafficking organization brought significant amounts of this highly addictive drug into our communities,’ Olson said. ‘Through the cooperative efforts of local, state and federal authorities, we have successfully dismantled this operation.’

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