Rupert Woman Gets 108 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Meth
BOISE – Leaha Annette Rivera, 42, of Rupert, Idaho, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also fined Rivera $1,000. She pleaded guilty to the charge on June 27, 2011.
According to the plea agreement, Rivera admitted that between September 1 and December 15, 2010, she conspired with co-defendant Rigaberto Moreno Sanchez and others to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine. Rivera admitted that on November 18, 2010 and November 19, 2010, she and co-defendant Sanchez sold an individual four ounces of methamphetamine. On November 22, 2010, Sanchez and Rivera were stopped by law enforcement in Victorville, California, and found in possession of 442.5 grams of methamphetamine. A quantative analysis performed by the DEA Western Laboratory determined the methamphetamine to be 100% pure. Sanchez was also found in possession of a firearm, which was located in the center console of the vehicle.
Co-defendant Rigaberto Moreno Sanchez, 33, also of Rupert, was sentenced on September 12 to 168 months in prison.
A jury trial for two other defendants is set for December 6, 2011, at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Boise Police Department.