BOISE - Sergio Ayala-Sotelo, 26, and Gilberto Sanchez-Andrade, 25, both from Mexico, made an initial appearance today on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Both of the defendants were indicted on February 9, 2016, by a federal grand jury in Boise.
The Indictment alleges that between January 27, 2016, and January 28, 2016, the defendants conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine in the state of Idaho. Ayala-Sotelo also is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Sanchez Andrade is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The maximum sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine is at least ten years and up to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine. The maximum sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine depends on the amount of methamphetamine possessed on the specific date charged. Ayala-Sotelo faces a maximum sentence of at least five years and up to forty years in prison on two of the possession with intent to distribute counts and at least ten years up to life in prison on the third. Sanchez-Andrade faces a maximum sentence of at least ten years up to life in prison on the possession with intent to distribute count in which he is charged. The maximum fines on the possession with intent to distribute counts range from $5,000,000 for two of the counts charged against Ayala-Sotelo to $10,000,000 for the third possession with intent to distribute count pending against Ayala-Sotelo and the one count against Sanchez-Andrade.
A trial is set for April 4, 2016, before U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force comprised of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Nampa Police Department. The investigation was also assisted by Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Twin Falls Police Department, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and Mountain Home Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.