Larry Junior Hillbroom, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Idaho 2016

Grimy Times Investigates

Larry Junior Hillbroom, 37, of Hope, Idaho, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a federal court in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

According to court records, Hillbroom conspired with others to smuggle methamphetamine through international airports between North Idaho and the Pacific Islands of Guam and Palau between 2015 and 2016.

Hillbroom and others used several different methods to smuggle the drugs, including shampoo containers and carrying the substance on their person. Once in Guam or Palau, Hillbroom would coordinate with locals to sell the methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers learned of the conspiracy and were able to investigate and ultimately arrest Hillbroom and his coconspirators.

Hillbroom was originally charged with Morgan Kenney, Zachary Craig Carlson, and Sean Robert Wathen, all of Hope, Idaho. Kenney and Carlson previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to federal prison. Wathen has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy and is currently set for trial in November 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Hillbroom’s case is set for sentencing on February 8, 2022.

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