News Release: Follow-up info RE: Oct. 16 ISP news release "Marijuana trafficking charges resulting from Bonneville County traffic stop; 117 pounds seized, 2 people in custody"

News Release: Follow-up info RE: Oct. 16 ISP news release "Marijuana trafficking charges resulting from Bonneville County traffic stop; 117 pounds seized, 2 people in custody"
For Immediate Release, Oct. 31, 2018
ISP District 6 1540 Foote Dr., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402-1828
Contact: Lt. Christopher Weadick, (208) 525-7377


On October 14th, 2018, ISP arrested "Javier Luna-Gutierrez" for Trafficking 117 lbs. of Marijuana. During the traffic stop he had identified himself with a fictitious California Driver's license. The Department of Homeland Security Task Force ran name of "Javier Luna-Gutierrez" through their Federal Data base and discovered his true identity was Armando Sarmiento-Sarmiento. They were able to confirm his identity through a fingerprint check. The Idaho State Police followed-up on this new information and discovered that Sarmiento-Sarmiento had a United States Marshals Federal Warrant out of Utah.

The warrant was for the following charges:

Count 1 - Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
Count 2 - Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
Count 3 - Possession of a Firearm and ammunition by an illegal Alien
Count 4 - Carrying a Firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crime
Count 5 - Re-Entry of a previously removed Alien

In addition to being charged with Trafficking 117 lbs. of Marijuana, Sarmiento-Sarmiento was additionally charged by ISP for Providing False Information to An Officer, Driving Without Privileges, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sarmiento-Sarmiento is currently being held in the Bonneville County Jail.

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Original release follows:
ISP News Release, Oct. 16, 2018: Marijuana trafficking charges resulting from Bonneville County traffic stop; 117 pounds seized, 2 people in custody

On October 14, 2018, ISP made a traffic stop on U.S. 20 near Idaho Falls. During the course of the traffic stop, 117 lbs. of packaged marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine was discovered. The driver, Javier Luna-Gutierrez, 25, of Visalia, CA was arrested for trafficking marijuana and possession of methamphetamine. The passenger, Aida Rodriguez-Hernandez, 19, of Visalia, CA was arrested for trafficking marijuana. Both were booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has filed an Immigration Detainer on both subjects.

Note to reporters: Original news release photos of marijuana seizure and Bonneville County Jail photos of suspects available to media outlets upon request - contact ISP PIO Tim Marsano at tim.marsano@isp.idaho.gov

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