Department of Justice

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Loren John Jay Meade, age 32, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on October 2, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Meade to a 12 year and four month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Meade conspired with Michael John Montejano, age 28, also of Moses Lake, Washington, to distribute methamphetamine in Moses Lake. For his role in the conspiracy, Montejano was sentenced on April 9, 2019, to a seven year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision.

Joseph H. Harrington said, "Methamphetamine is a highly dangerous and addictive drug and federal law enforcement is committed to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for its distribution anywhere in the Eastern District of Washington. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case. The sentences imposed in this case by the court removes two drug traffickers from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to distribute methamphetamine in our communities."

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by James A. Goeke, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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