Idaho's biggest drug bust nets 18 months
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February 8, 2013 |
 Barbara
Jeanne Willoughby, 23, Paramount, California,
arrested in Bonners Ferry last March, was sentenced February 4 in United States
District Court in Coeur d’Alene, to 18 months in
prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson
announced.
U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered
Willoughby to serve three years of supervised
release. She pleaded guilty to the charge on
June 18, 2012.
Willoughby admitted in court that on March 18,
2012, she conspired with co-defendant Hector
Rivera to distribute 500 grams or more of
cocaine.
According to court documents, Willoughby drove
the rental vehicle from California to Idaho
because Rivera’s license was suspended.
Law enforcement stopped the vehicle because it
had no front license plates. During this initial
contact, law enforcement became suspicious of
Willoughby and Rivera’s behavior. A search of
the vehicle discovered cocaine in a backpack in
the cab of the truck.
Their arrest after a routine traffic stop in
Bonners Ferry March 18, 2012, earned the
arresting officer,
Willie Cowell, a Distinguished Service Medal
(see "Officer
Willie Cowell honored.")
Rivera, 35, also of Paramount, California,
pleaded guilty on November 5, 2012, to one count
of conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute cocaine. Sentencing is set for April
1. He faces a minimum term of five years in
prison, a maximum fine of $5 million, and at
least five years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bonners Ferry
Police Department, Idaho State Police, U.S.
Border Patrol, and the North Idaho Violent
Crimes Task Force. |
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