MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Hector A. Jimenez-Sosa, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release. Jimenez-Sosa pleaded guilty to this charge on July 8, 2024.

The government's investigation revealed that Jimenez-Sosa was the leader of a methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking organization in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He received large quantities of controlled substances through the mail from his sources in California. Between August and October 2023, law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Jimenez-Sosa and his associates on multiple occasions using a confidential informant. The drug sales took place at two workshops operated by Jimenez-Sosa. The final drug sale occurred on October 31, 2023, when Jimenez-Sosa sold approximately one pound of methamphetamine to the informant.

On December 8, 2023, Jimenez-Sosa was arrested, and search warrants were executed at his residence and workshops. Officers located cocaine, marijuana, ammunition, and drug trafficking supplies.

During this investigation and while running his drug trafficking organization, Jimenez-Sosa was out on bond and later convicted and placed on probation for a state felony domestic abuse conviction.

At sentencing, Judge Conley found that the total quantity of narcotics Jimenez-Sosa's organization distributed in the Eau Claire area was significant. He noted that Jimenez-Sosa had an extensive arrest history that included convictions for drug trafficking, violence, and illegal weapons possession. Judge Conley said that Jimenez-Sosa's drug trafficking was a dramatic escalation in conduct and "caused some real damage" to communities in the Eau Claire area.

Another individual, Mario R. Aviles, was charged in connection with this drug trafficking organization. Aviles pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine on July 16, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Conley on October 17, 2024.

The charges against Jimenez-Sosa and Aviles were the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service. The Eau Claire County District Attorney's Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.