Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that that Francisco Sanchez-Hinojosa, age 45, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. imposed a ten-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after Sanchez-Hinojosa is released from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, on November 26, 2014, detectives with the Benton County Sherriff’s Office arrested Sanchez-Hinojosa at his residence after obtaining evidence that he was distributing controlled substances. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, officers located drugs and drug trafficking tools, including approximately 320 grams of methamphetamine, 36 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, and a semiautomatic pistol. Sanchez-Hinojosa admitted to selling controlled substances and possessing the firearm. He has prior convictions for delivery of cocaine and marijuana and bail jumping.

Michael C. Ormsby said, “Agents with ATF, DEA, ICE/HIS, together with officers from the Benton County Sherriff’s Office, worked in close partnership investigating this drug trafficking case. Their strong working partnership is reflected by the successful prosecution. Federal and local law enforcement officers in the Eastern District of Washington continue to work together to root out the scourge of drug trafficking in this District. With their assistance, the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively drug traffickers in our communities.”

This investigation was conducted by the cooperative efforts of ATF, DEA, ICE/HSI, and the Benton County Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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