Geoffrey W. Ancheta, a 40-year-old resident of Pocatello, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. This was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
Court documents reveal that Ancheta and his co-defendant, Alme Otto, were intercepted by the BADGES Task Force on April 13, 2024, upon returning from Arizona. The officers discovered over 500 grams of blue fentanyl pills and a firearm in their car. Ancheta later confessed to trafficking fentanyl to Idaho.
In July 2024, Ancheta and Otto were indicted by a federal grand jury. Ancheta entered a guilty plea on October 23, 2024, to the charge of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Chief District Judge David C. Nye sentenced him on April 14, 2025, to serve nine years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Otto has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on June 30, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott praised the BADGES Task Force for their efforts. This HIDTA-funded team comprises the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bannock County Sheriff's Office, Idaho State Police, the Pocatello Police Department, and the Chubbuck Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane.
The investigation was conducted through the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which coordinates with and funds multi-agency drug enforcement efforts like the BADGES Task Force. This task force focuses on drug trafficking crimes throughout Bannock County and the surrounding region.
