Burley Father and Son Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

BOISE – Father and son, Sergio Chavez-Verduzco and Sergio Chavez-Macias, of Burley, Idaho, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.  Chavez-Verduzco was also sentenced for his participation in a continuing criminal enterprise.  Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Chavez-Verduzco to 420 months in prison and Chavez-Macias to 144 months.  Judge Winmill also ordered that both serve five years of supervised release and to forfeit $420,000 in drug proceeds. 

In June of last year, after a five day trial, a federal jury found the defendants guilty.  Evidence presented in court showed that, in 2015 and early 2016, Chavez-Verduzco and Chavez-Macias were the source of supply to multiple large-scale methamphetamine traffickers in the Treasure Valley.  The evidence specifically identified certain methamphetamine traffickers whom the father and son supplied with hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine.  

The case was cooperative effort involving federal, state and local investigators from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the City County Narcotics Unit of Canyon County, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Idaho State Police. 

The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board.  The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.