Colorado Springs Man Sentenced To More Than 16 Years In Federal Prison For Dealing Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine

 Defendant dealt drugs while on supervised release from a prior federal felony conviction

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Jesse Santiago Anaya, age 36, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced to serve 200 months (16.6 years) in federal prison, followed by 5 years on supervised release, for distributing controlled substances and conspiring with others to distribute controlled substances.  The FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department joined in this announcement.

According to court documents, the Colorado Springs Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating Anaya for selling cocaine in nightclubs and strip clubs in Colorado Springs.  An undercover detective purchased cocaine from Anaya and one of Anaya’s associates, who was also indicted for distributing cocaine and conspiring with Anaya.  In his plea agreement, Anaya admitted that the conspiracy to distribute cocaine began while he was still on supervised release for a prior federal felony conviction.  Over the course of the conspiracy, Anaya distributed between 500 grams and 15 kilograms of cocaine.  As a manager within the cocaine conspiracy, Anaya directed others to carry out drug transactions.  For this, Anaya received a larger portion of the profit from cocaine sales than the other participants.  During the course of the investigation, Anaya also sold 1,341.4 grams of methamphetamine and 83.4 grams of heroin.

“Getting drug dealers off the street makes a real difference to the communities we serve,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “We are committed to making our communities safe for all Coloradans.  Disrupting drug organizations is a key part of that strategy and we commend our law enforcement partners for their dedication to this effort.”

“The success of this investigation and today’s sentencing of Jesse Anaya is largely attributable to the collaborative effort of federal, state, and local law enforcement, specifically the Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force and Colorado Springs Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence Division,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider.  “We will continue to work together to address violent drug traffickers within our communities and bring justice to those who are harmed.”

“We want to sincerely thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office, not only for their partnership, but also for their dedication to help make our community a safer place.  This case took perseverance, commitment, and a steadfast determination.  I am extremely proud of everyone who worked the investigation, as there is no doubt their efforts will make a difference in Colorado Springs,” said Colorado Springs Police Chief Vince Niski.

Anaya was first charged by Criminal Complaint on May 3, 2019.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2019.  On January 9, 2020, he pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and to a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  He was sentenced on December 21, 2020.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Colorado Springs Police Department.  Anaya was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.  Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-234.