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 reveal that on August 22, 2023, detectives from the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Arteaga's residence in Rupert. During the search, they discovered 368 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm in his bedroom. Additionally, smaller quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl were found in the same location. Arteaga has previous convictions for federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses in Idaho. In 2011, he received a five-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of an unregistered firearm. In 2016, he was sentenced to 32 months for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
A federal grand jury indicted Arteaga on March 26, 2024. He entered a guilty plea on September 19, 2024. On December 17, as part of his sentencing, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also imposed five years of supervised release following his prison term.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit praised the efforts of the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force for their work on this case. The task force includes detectives from both the Minidoka and Cassia County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane handled the prosecution.