Nevada Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Role In Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Nevada resident was sentenced last Wednesday to 10 years in prison for his role in a methamphetamine drug trafficking conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada.

According to court documents, on April 14, 2017, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped a vehicle. Alejandro Jose Rojas, 38, was a passenger, and co-defendant Jonathan Ruiz, 35, was the driver. During the stop, officers observed a firearm protruding from underneath the front passenger seat. Officers found approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine in Rojas’ pocket and recovered three firearms under the passenger seat. 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in the vehicle’s trunk. During a subsequent search warrant executed on a hotel room Ruiz had rented, officers found an additional firearm and approximately 8.6 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Rojas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Rojas to five years of supervised release.

Ruiz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 78 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.