Federal Judges Sentence Three For Drug, Illegal Alien Crimes
Federal judges in Wyoming recently sentenced three men for illegal alien and drug-related crimes, according to a news release from the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson sentenced James Edward Johnston, 57, of Casper for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He received 13 years imprisonment, to be followed by four years of probation. Johnson also ordered Johnston to pay a $100 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $500.
This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal sentenced Jose Martinez-Barrios, 43, of Mexico for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. He received time served, plus 10 days. Freudenthal also ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment, and he is subject to deportation upon release from custody.
Martinez-Barrios was arrested in Casper.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Freudenthal also sentenced Brandon Keith Kern, 30, of Crawford, Neb., for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He received nine years, seven months imprisonment, to be followed by four years of probation. She also ordered Kern to pay a $100.special assessment and restitution in the amount of $400.
Kern was arrested in Sidney, Neb.
This case results from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces joint investigation conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. OCDETF program intends to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.