2 plead guilty to meth charges

Two Idaho Falls men pleaded guilty to federal drug charges.

Jaime Meza-Gonzalez, 47, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting. Saul Arellano-Alvarado, 41, pleaded guilty to distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The men were in U.S. District Court in Pocatello earlier this week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho said.

According to the plea agreements, in November 2010, person wanting to buy meth contacted Meza-Gonzalez. Meza-Gonzalez directed the person to Arellano-Alvarado. Arellano-Alvarado then made arrangements to distribute meth to that person at a parking lot in Idaho Falls, and then sold more than 5 grams of meth.

Meza-Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. Arellano-Alvarado faces a minimum term of 10 years up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release.

They will be sentenced in December by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

The third defendant in the case, Roberto Carlos Camarena, 25, of Sugar City, is a fugitive. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.