News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2006

Mother of Two Sentenced to 37 Months for Drug Trafficking,
Deportation to Follow

Spokane – Today, James A. McDevitt, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Edith Iniguez, 30 years old, a resident of Yakima, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for her role in the Rivera Drug Trafficking Organization. Ms. Iniguez was the last of 17 defendants prosecuted in this case, there are currently 3 fugitives.

Ms. Iniguez became involved with the Rivera Drug Trafficking Organization through a relationship with Rigoberto Rivera. Mr. Rivera was one of the leaders of the organization. Ms. Iniguez participated in the drug trafficking by retrieving drugs from a stash house, distributing drugs from her home and receiving drug proceeds on behalf of Rigoberto Rivera. When sentencing Ms. Iniguez, Federal District Court Judge Shea pointed out that Ms. Iniguez never had a legitimate job to support herself or children and lived off of drug trafficking proceeds provided by Rigoberto Rivera. Ms. Iniguez faces deportation upon the completion of her sentence.

James A. McDevitt, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “Ms. Iniguez placed her two children in harms way by distributing drugs from her home. Ms. Iniguez’s conviction and sentence will send a message that participants in drug trafficking organizations will be severely punished.”

Twelve men and five women have been convicted and sentenced in this case. Sentences ranged from 192 months to 24 months. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington State Patrol, Yakima City County Narcotics Unit, and Law Enforcement Against Drugs.