Texas couple sentenced to for meth trafficking in Idaho

POCATELLO, Idaho – A Texas couple was sentenced Tuesday to federal prison time for possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Idaho State Police and the FBI.

Sergio Javier Varela-Vallecillo, 30, and his wife, Felicia Inez Varela, 29, of Navasota, Texas, pleaded guilty to the indictment last November. In their plea agreement, the defendants admitted they knew they were transporting methamphetamine. Sergio received 70 months in prison and Felicia received 30 months in prison, followed by four years’ supervised release.

In March 2013, the Varela’s were stopped by an Idaho State Police trooper in Idaho Falls while traveling in a U-Haul truck on U.S. Highway 20. In the back of the truck, officers found approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine and a large quantity of cocaine. The Varela’s were transporting the drugs from California with the intention of delivering it to someone in Minnesota.

Sergio is a Honduran national who will face removal proceedings following his release from prison.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho is prosecuting the case.