Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Washington Man Sentenced to 15 years for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon
BISMARCK – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on March 18, 2019, Chief Judge Daniel L. Hovland, United States District Court, sentenced David Saul Salazar, age 49, Packwood, WA, on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Judge Hovland sentenced Salazar to serve 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years supervised release.
This investigation was initiated when Berthold Police Chief stopped a vehicle traveling from Washington State to Minot, ND, and located approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine and multiple firearms. Salazar was a passenger in the vehicle along with Gregorio Capetillo and Luis Parra Magana. Additional investigation by the Ward County Narcotics Task Force, DEA, HSI, and ATF revealed prior multi-pound methamphetamine trips by the same organization. Salazar was an admitted member of the Surenos gang, which is affiliated with the Mexican Mafia. Judge Hovland previously sentenced Parra Magana and Capetillo to 41 months and 10 years respectively.
This case was investigated by the Berthold Police Department, Ward County Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy A. Ensrud prosecuted the case.
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