Three Idaho Falls drug traffickers sentenced to federal prison – LocalNews8.com

The following is a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Idaho.

BOISE, Idaho (U.S. Attorney Press Release) – Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in Eastern Idaho.

“The justice achieved in these cases reflects how the strong partnerships between my office and state and local law enforcement take dangerous criminals off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will remain focused on pursuing drug traffickers in every part of Idaho, and I am grateful to the talented officers, investigators and prosecutors who are making a difference in this fight.”

1. Convicted felon and methamphetamine dealer sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison

In one case, Jesus Rosas, 45, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced on November 25, 2024, to 55 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court records, Rosas was stopped by Idaho Falls police on Jan. 8, 2024, for a traffic violation. Rosas’ passenger had several warrants for his arrest. The passenger fled the vehicle on foot and later shot an officer with a handgun. The officer returned fire, striking the passenger, who ultimately died from resulting injuries.

During the traffic stop, officers removed Rosas from the vehicle and found a loaded handgun next to the driver’s seat. While removing Rosas from the vehicle, officers observed Rosas reaching toward the firearm. Officers searched Rosas before placing him in a patrol vehicle. During the search, officers discovered a black bag in Rosas’ jacket pocket that contained a glass pipe, small clear bags and two bags containing 35.9 grams of methamphetamine.

Rosas’ criminal history includes five prior convictions for state crimes: delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance, grand larceny and burglary. Idaho Department of Corrections records indicate he suspected he had gang ties.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Rosas to serve three years of supervised release following his sentence. Rosas pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2024.

2. Idaho Falls man sentenced to three years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine

In another case, Brandon Luce, 43, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced on November 21, 2024, to 37 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Luce sold a total of 83.24 grams of methamphetamine to another person on two occasions in early 2022. Luce told the buyer that there was only one pound left in town and they needed to get more.

Luce’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for possession of controlled substances as well as misdemeanor convictions for traffic offenses, possession of burglary tools and assault.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered Luce to serve three years of supervised release following his sentence. Luce pleaded guilty to the crime in August 2024.

3. Idaho Falls man sentenced to two years in federal prison for drug trafficking

In a third case, Darren Payne, 51, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced on November 25, 2024, to 24 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on January 18, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Payne’s home, which also included a search of his vehicle. During the execution of the search warrant, Payne was alone in the master bedroom. He tried to escape from the bedroom into the bathroom and tried to swallow a bag of methamphetamine but ended up spitting it out.

During the search, officers found a plastic bag containing hundreds of light blue M30 pills stuck in the bottom of a shoe. These were counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl. Additionally, while searching the pockets of clothing hanging in the closet, officers found a bag containing a box of Suboxone, several small baggies and glass pipes. A search of the bedroom revealed the following items: a green bottle containing small purple pills labeled K57, Oxycodone Hydrochloride; Heroin; and cocaine. There were also three individually wrapped light blue M30 pills that appeared to be for sale. The items found were apparently for both personal use and sale. Payne possessed 76.8 grams of fentanyl for distribution.

Payne’s criminal history includes two state convictions for possession of a controlled substance. Payne has two criminal charges pending in Bonneville County for trafficking methamphetamine and in Fremont County for issuing checks with insufficient funds.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered that Payne be placed on three years of supervised release following his sentence. Payne pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2024.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigations of the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho State Police for their work in all three cases and thanked the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office for their investigations that led to charges in the Rosas and Payne cases . Special Assistant United States Attorney Zoie Laggis prosecuted these cases.

These cases were handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Assistant US Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho and the Idaho Department of Correction.

The EIP SAUSA program enables law enforcement agencies to utilize the federal criminal justice system to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers through the EIP SAUSA. These criminals often receive harsher sentences than in state courts.

This program was launched in January 2016. Since then, approximately 175 defendants have been charged by EIP SAUSA. Of those defendants, 152 were charged with drug trafficking. Defendants charged in the scheme were sentenced to 10,639 months (approximately 886.5 years) in federal prison, for an average prison term of 73.87 months (6.12 years). Defendants charged with drug trafficking offenses serve an average of approximately 60.33 months (5.02 years) in federal prison.