Keizer Man Sentenced to Serve 78 Months in Federal Prison on Drug Trafficking and Immigration Charges

Defendant Served Prison Time for Prior Federal Drug Trafficking and Immigration Offenses

January 27, 2010 - Jose Felix Huerta-Valdez, 37, Keizer, Oregon, was sentenced on January 26, 2010, by United States District Judge James A. Redden to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being an illegal alien found in the United States following deportation. Huerta-Valdez was also ordered to serve a federal supervised release term of four years following his release from prison. Huerta-Valdez’s criminal history includes prior federal convictions for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (amphetamine) and eluding examination and inspection, an immigration offense. Defendant pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of illegal alien found in the United States following deportation on September 8, 2009, and has been in federal custody since May 8, 2009.

On April 2, 2009, law enforcement officials from the Woodburn Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a car in which Huerta-Valdez was the driver, near the intersection of Silverton Road and Cordon Road in Salem, Oregon. During the traffic stop, law enforcement found approximately 84 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 16 grams of a “cutting” agent. Law enforcement also recovered $1,501.00 during Huerta-Valdez’s arrest.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Woodburn Police Department, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office successfully investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Fred W. Slaughter.