Man sentenced to federal prison for distributing over 7,000 fentanyl pills in the Magic Valley

The pursuing is simply a news merchandise from nan U.S. Attorney’s Office (Idaho).

BOISE – Brandon Aaron Dana, 36, a co-conspirator successful a ample supplier trafficking conspiracy, has been sentenced to 10 years successful national situation for distributing complete 7,000 fentanyl pills successful nan Magic Valley, announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.

According to tribunal records, successful nan summertime of 2023, rule enforcement officers identified Dana while investigating a supplier trafficking statement led by a man named Austin Lee. In astir April 2023, Lee moved to Arizona, but continued to nonstop his supplier trafficking endeavor successful Idaho done various co-conspirators, including Dana.

On June 20, 2023, Lee communicated pinch Dana and arranged to person him administer astir 7,000 fentanyl pills to an individual who, unbeknownst to Lee aliases Dana astatine nan time, was an undercover serviceman investigating their conspiracy. The transaction happened arsenic planned, and Dana drove to a state position parking batch located successful Jerome, wherever he met pinch nan undercover officer.

During nan supplier transaction, Dana handed nan undercover serviceman a reddish integrative lipid instrumentality that contained nan fentanyl pills. Dana had trim nan bottommost information of nan instrumentality on nan seam to create a mini opening wherever he inserted nan drugs. The supplier transaction was audio and video recorded by police. The beneath photographs show really Dana concealed nan pills.

Dana is nan 5th suspect sentenced arsenic a personnel of this supplier trafficking conspiracy. On Feb. 20, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced co-conspirator Tina Morris to 97 months successful national prison. She besides sentenced co-conspirator Jamie Coltrin to 48 months successful prison. The pursuing day, she sentenced co-conspirators Jenika Johnson to 48 months successful situation and Daniel Coltrin to 25 months successful prison. All 4 sentences were to beryllium followed by 3 years of supervised release. These sentencings were antecedently announced by nan U.S. Attorney’s Office, connected February 26, 2024.

Dana has a anterior criminal history that includes astatine slightest 14 criminal offenses, including 4 anterior felony offenses involving transportation of a controlled substance, 2 burglaries, and an flight by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Dana to a mandatory minimum condemnation of 10 years successful national situation and a $900 fine. Following his imprisonment, he was ordered to complete 5 years of supervised release.

“This lawsuit reflects nan occurrence we are having successful dismantling important supplier trafficking networks successful nan Magic Valley,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Along pinch our dedicated rule enforcement partners, we will stay focused connected this work. Drug traffickers should admit that superior consequences await them if they bring venomous narcotics for illustration fentanyl into Idaho.”

“DEA and our partners will activity tirelessly to extremity supplier traffickers from flooding our communities pinch narcotics and violence,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent successful Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The sentences successful this lawsuit item nan superior threat fentanyl and methamphetamine traffickers airs arsenic good arsenic our committedness to extremity them.”

“Law enforcement agencies crossed jurisdictions are joining forces to combat nan proliferation of illicit narcotics wrong our communities,” said Idaho State Police Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelley. “Through unwavering collaboration, we will activity tirelessly to dismantle nan networks responsible for distributing narcotics passim Idaho. By disrupting these operations, we not only uphold nan rule but besides prioritize nan information and well-being of our citizens, ensuring our streets stay free from nan harmful power of drugs.”

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit commended nan cooperative efforts of nan Idaho State Police, nan Drug Enforcement Administration, nan Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force, nan Twin Falls Special Investigations Unit, nan Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and nan Pocatello Police Department, for their activity connected these cases.

This lawsuit was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Booker and Frank Zebari.