On February 10, 2025, Santiago Rojas-Rangel, a 51-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke presided over the case in Yakima, Washington. In addition to the prison term, Rojas-Rangel will face five years of supervised release. Judge Dimke remarked on his "complete and utter lack of respect for the law in this country."
Court documents and testimony revealed that in early 2024, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents identified Rojas-Rangel as a methamphetamine distributor in Yakima. Between February and May 2024, the DEA conducted controlled purchases from him totaling approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine.
Rojas-Rangel had previously been convicted on two counts of delivery of methamphetamine by the Yakima County Superior Court in December 2019 for offenses dating back to 2016. He served a sentence of 44 months and one day. Additionally, he had been deported from the United States but illegally re-entered before resuming drug trafficking activities in Eastern Washington.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker emphasized the commitment to prosecuting repeat drug offenders: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of dangerous repeat drug offenders,” he stated. He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local partners: “I am grateful for the dedication of our federal, state, and local partners and for the incredible team of prosecutors.”
David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge at DEA Seattle Field Division, commented on the impact of methamphetamine traffickers: “Methamphetamine traffickers prey on their communities for profit.” He praised efforts to hold repeat offenders accountable: “The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners work especially hard to ensure accountability for repeat drug offenders.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Letitia A. Sikes.