Federal Judges Sentenced Four Criminals

Federal judges sentenced three men and one woman in the past week for crimes including illegally trafficking fossils, drugs and illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States, according to a news release from the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal sentenced Charles Magovern of Boulder, Colo., on Tuesday for bringing paleontological specimens by means of false statements, and aiding and abetting. Magovern, 67, received one year probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. As part of his plea agreement, he returned all the fossils under his control.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson sentenced Jennifer R. Sorrells of Fair Oaks, Calif., on Tuesday for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Sorrells, 34, was arrested in Rawlins. She received 11 years three months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of probation. Johnson also ordered her to pay a $500 fine and a $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Johnson also sentenced two Mexican nationals for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States.

Fernando Beltran-Mendoza, 50, and Fermin Cortes-Cruz -- also known as Fernando Cortez-Zarate -- 24, were sentenced on Oct. 2. Beltran-Mendoza was arrested in Cheyenne, and Cortez-Cruz was arrested in Sheridan. Both received credit for time served, plus 10 days in jail. They were ordered to pay $100 special assessments and are subject to deportation after they are released from custody.

Both cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.