Jose Luis Arteaga, a 39-year-old resident of Rupert, has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.

Court records indicate that on August 22, 2023, the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Arteaga’s residence in Rupert. They discovered 368 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm in his bedroom. Additionally, smaller quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl were found. Arteaga has previous convictions related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses in Idaho's federal district court. In 2011, he received a five-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of an unregistered firearm. Later in 2016, he was sentenced to 32 months for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Arteaga was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pocatello on March 26, 2024, and he pleaded guilty on September 19, 2024. As part of his sentencing on December 17, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill mandated that Arteaga also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit praised the efforts of the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force for their role in the case. This task force comprises detectives from both the Minidoka and Cassia County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane led the prosecution.