Federal Judges Sentence Seven Men for Various Crimes

Federal judges sentenced seven men for drug, gun possession and child pornography crimes last week, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Wyoming.

Besides prison terms and supervised release, all of the felons were required to pay court fees and some were required to pay fines.

Royce E. Mortiz, 46, of Gillette was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on April 30 for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and for conspiracy to launder money. Mortiz was arrested in Gillette,  He received 10 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. This case results from an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) joint investigation conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Mario R. Garza, 33, of Pueblo, Colo., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on April 28 for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and for conspiracy to launder money. Garza was arrested in Cheyenne. He received 20 years imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. The OCDETF investigated this case.

Ignacio Moreno, 39, of Cheyenne was sentenced by Freudenthal on April 28 for possession of child pornography. Moreno was arrested in Cheyenne. He received credit for time served and five years of supervised release. He also is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This cases was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Ernie Petersen, 34, of Gillette, was sentenced by Freudenthal on April 28 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Petersen was arrested in Gillette. He received two years and three months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the National Park Service with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Tracy Alshurafa, 28, of Cheyenne was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on April 24 for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Alshurafa was arrested in Cheyenne. He received 15 years imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department.
Armando Carabajal, 39, of Cheyenne was sentenced by Johnson on April 24 for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Carabajal was arrested in Cheyenne. He received 12 years seven months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $500.00 fine. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department.
Wesley Wayne Leech, 48, of Cody was sentenced by Freudenthal on April 20 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Leech was arrested in Thermopolis. He received one-and-a-half years of probation. This case was investigated by the BATFE.