FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 18, 2007
JOSE ANGEL TORRES-GUARDADO SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on October 18, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, JOSE ANGEL TORRES-GUARDADO, a 33-year-old resident of Billings, appeared for sentencing. TORRES-GUARDADO was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 327 months
- Special Assessment: $100
- Supervised Release: 5 years
TORRES-GUARDADO was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
Agents from the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Safe Trails Drug Task Force were conducting an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking on both reservations. Information obtained from confidential sources and cooperating witnesses led them to investigate TORRES-GUARDADO. The investigation began with a cooperating witness who was able to engage TORRES-GUARDADO in numerous monitored conversations. An undercover agent also had numerous conversations with TORRES-GUARDADO regarding the distribution of methamphetamine.
On January 18, 2007, the cooperating witness and the undercover agent met with TORRES-GUARDADO and purchased approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine from TORRES-GUARDADO for $2,000. The transaction occurred at the Walmart parking lot on King Avenue West. The methamphetamine purchased was sent to the DEA laboratory for testing. The testing confirmed that they purchased methamphetamine from TORRES-GUARDADO weighing 26.7 grams. An additional $500 was provided to TORRES-GUARDADO to purchase an additional 1/4 ounce of methamphetamine to be picked up at TORRES-GUARDADO'S residence later in the day.
Later on January 18, 2007, the cooperating witness and the undercover agent met with TORRES-GUARDADO and picked up 7.8 grams of methamphetamine, previously paid for, at his residence located in River Grove Estates in Billings. The methamphetamine was tested at the DEA laboratory. The testing confirmed that they had purchased 6.1 grams of methamphetamine.
On January 19, 2007, the cooperating witness and the undercover agent met with TORRES-GUARDADO and purchased approximately one ounce of methamphetamine for $2,000. An additional two ounces of methamphetamine was fronted to the undercover agent with the understanding that TORRES-GUARDADO would be paid at a later date. The total amount of methamphetamine purchased was 86.5 grams. The transaction occurred at the Sinclair Convenience Store located at the City Center exit in Hardin. The methamphetamine was sent to the DEA and tested. The testing confirmed that they had purchased 82.1 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, the cooperating witness reported that TORRES-GUARDADO possessed a firearm that he was carrying in the vehicle.
On January 20, 2007, federal search warrants were served on TORRES-GUARDADO'S residence and his vehicle. Approximately two pounds of methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle. The methamphetamine was tested by the DEA laboratory. The testing confirmed that agents seized 878.6 grams of methamphetamine.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that TORRES-GUARDADO will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, TORRES-GUARDADO does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Safe Trails Drug Task Force.
