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Gutierrez given 20 year federal prison term
A California man has been sentenced to a 20 year prison term by US District Judge Ronnie Greer, following his conviction for a leadership role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from California to Tennessee. Luis A. Rivera Gutierrez, 30, admitted to engaging in a series of recorded telephone calls with an individual working on behalf of law enforcement during June and July, 2015. He agreed to send a multi-kilogram delivery of methamphetamine to East Tennessee. On his way to Morristown, a co-defendant gave consent to search his vehicle and law enforcement agents located approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle. Laboratory tests showed the drug was 97.5 percent pure. In subsequent communications, Gutierrez said he would personally deliver the methamphetamine next time and they negotiated a ten-pound transaction. The informant, acting at the direction of law enforcement agents, sent Gutierrez an address in Newport, to meet and discuss the payment for the methamphetamine. But upon arriving in Newport, the defendant became lost and suspicious that he was being followed by law enforcement. As a result, he entered I-40 where a chase ensued at approximately 100 mph in rainy conditions, for several miles before he was pulled over. After being placed under arrest, a search of his vehicle revealed a note with the address to the residence in Newport given by law enforcement agents. The following day a tractor trailer was stopped on I-40 and a subsequent search of the trailer resulted in the seizure of well over ten pounds of methamphetamine, which was 99.7 percent pure. Gutierrez stipulated that he was responsible for the distribution of approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes said Monday that his narcotics officers played a large role in the drug investigation. “Investigations such as this have resulted in shutting down a major supply of Crystal Meth coming into Cocke County. Methamphetamine is one of the primary drugs effecting many families throughout Cocke County,” says the sheriff.” We will continue to go after every person selling and distributing illegal drugs. I want to thank the partnering agencies involved in this multi-jurisdictional operation."
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
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Monday, April 26, 2021
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