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September 28, 2014Butte, MT, United StatesNarcotics

Mexican man sentenced in Montana to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking 10 pounds of methamphetamine

BUTTE, Mont. — A man from Mexico was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Monday on conspiracy charges relating to possessing and distributing methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department, and the FBI.

Jesus Pimentel-Lopez, of Aguililla, Mexico, was found guilty June 4 of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, following a two-day jury trial. Pimentel-Lopez was sentenced by the Honorable Sam E. Haddon who presided over the trial.

Pimentel-Lopez was engaged in the methamphetamine conspiracy from July 2012 through February 2013. During the course of the conspiracy, Pimentel-Lopez brought methamphetamine to Montana from Idaho and elsewhere for distribution in Butte. Pimentel-Lopez was found responsible for possessing and distributing 10 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.

The following co-conspirators have already been sentenced:

  • Jesus Elizondo was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison.
  • Timothy Gardiner was sentenced to 84 months in prison.
  • Jeffrey Lackman was sentenced to 98 months for his role in the conspiracy.
  • Elizabeth Gardiner was sentenced to 48 months.
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