U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Hurwit | U.S. Department of Justice
Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the sentencing of three individuals in Eastern Idaho for drug distribution offenses. The cases were handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies.
In one case, Jesus Rosas, 45, from Idaho Falls, received a 55-month federal prison sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Court records indicate that on January 8, 2024, Rosas was stopped by Idaho Falls Police for a traffic violation. During the stop, officers found a loaded handgun and methamphetamine in his possession. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Rosas to serve an additional three years of supervised release following his prison term.
In another case, Brandon Luce, 43, also from Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. According to court documents, Luce sold over 83 grams of methamphetamine in early 2022. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill mandated that Luce serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
The third case involved Darren Payne, 51, from Idaho Falls, who was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Payne's residence on January 18, 2024, discovering counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl among other drugs. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also imposed a three-year supervised release period following Payne's incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the efforts of the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho State Police in these investigations and acknowledged the contributions of the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor’s Office.
These cases were prosecuted under the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) Special Assistant U.S. Attorney program established in January 2016 to leverage federal resources against violent criminals and drug traffickers.
