Illegal Alien Sentenced to 97 Months in Federal Prison

BOISE — Julio Cesar Cardelas–Martinez, 37, an illegal alien living in Jerome, Idaho, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Cardelas–Martinez to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term and forfeit $20,000 in cash proceeds. Cardelas–Martinez will be deported to Mexico following his release from prison. He pled guilty on July 5, 2011.

According to court documents, Cardelas–Martinez began selling methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in December 2010. He received the methamphetamine from sources in Richfield, Idaho, and conspired with others to sell it in the Magic Valley. Cardelas–Martinez was arrested in February 2011. Co–defendant Noel Diaz was sentenced on September 15, 2011, to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Olson commended the joint investigation by the Idaho State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).