A man from San Diego, California, has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte on March 12, 2025.
Leobardo Vega, aged 32, received the prison term along with five years of supervised release. He was also fined $1,000 and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Vega was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2024.
The case dates back to September 30, 2022, when Vega was stopped by law enforcement on Interstate 90 near Murdo, South Dakota. During the search of his vehicle, authorities discovered 20 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside. Vega admitted he was transporting the drugs from California to Minnesota for further distribution.
The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges led the prosecution.
Following his sentencing, Vega was immediately placed into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.