Three sentenced for dealing meth in Northwest Arkansas

Andres Diaz
Andres Diaz

FAYETTEVILLE -- Two Californians and a Springdale resident who were part of a drug trafficking ring were sentenced Tuesday to more than 32 years in federal prison.

Leonel Padilla, Andres Diaz and Jonni Diaz previously had pleaded guilty. Padilla, 27, of Springdale, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.

Andres Diaz, 49, of Barstow, Calif., was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of meth.

Jonni Diaz, 47, of Barstow, Calif., was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for aiding and abetting the distribution of meth.

U.S. District Judge Tim Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in Fayetteville.

"These sentences handed down represent significant prison time for those that brought methamphetamine onto our streets and into our communities," said U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge, according to a news release. "Drug trafficking and the violence it brings will not be tolerated in Northwest Arkansas or anywhere across the Western District."

According to court records, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration were conducting an ongoing narcotics investigation known as "West End Gambler" into an organization involved in distributing large quantities of meth in Northwest Arkansas.

During the investigation, federal agents arranged to buy of about one ounce of meth from Padilla on Aug. 9, 2013, in Siloam Springs. Padilla pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of meth April 7.

Another investigation began last March after agents learned Andres Diaz was distributing large quantities of meth from Springdale. Agents bought an ounce of meth and another three ounces of meth in several buys from Andres Diaz. Andres Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of meth Sept. 22.

Jonni Diaz participated in one of the subsequent drug buys from Andres Diaz, handing two ounces of meth from her purse to an undercover officer. Jonni Diaz pleaded guilty to one charge of aiding and abetting the distribution of meth July 31.

The cases were investigated by the DEA, Benton and Washington counties sheriff's offices and Springdale and Fayetteville police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the cases.

NW News on 01/29/2015

Upcoming Events