Federal and state investigators spent more than seven months building a drug trafficking case against a Jackson man before launching coordinated predawn raids across southwest Wyoming and southeast Idaho that uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine, cash and two AR-15 rifles, newly filed court documents reveal.
The investigation culminated shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday, when agents executed simultaneous search warrants at homes in Etna, Jackson and Victor, Idaho, arresting 42-year-old Julio Jaimes Angeles.
At first authorities released few details about the operation, saying only that "large amounts" of methamphetamine and cocaine had been seized.
A probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday paints a much fuller picture.
Months Of Investigation
The affidavit shows DEA Task Force Officer Jeffery Allison opened a narcotics investigation into Angeles in December after investigators suspected he was selling methamphetamine and cocaine throughout southwest Wyoming and southeast Idaho.
Working with a confidential informant and an undercover officer, investigators completed three controlled drug purchases from Angeles between January and April.
Those purchases totaled roughly 84 grams of methamphetamine and 90 grams of cocaine, the affidavit states.
When an undercover officer later tried to arrange another methamphetamine purchase in May, investigators say Angeles referred the buyer to another person in Victor, where about 56 grams of methamphetamine were purchased.
Meanwhile, investigators obtained court approval to install a GPS tracking device on Angeles' pickup truck.
From January through July, agents monitored the truck's movements and learned Angeles regularly visited a second home he owned at 445 Pinto Lane in Etna, often for brief visits inconsistent with someone living there full-time.
Investigators also conducted surveillance and trash pulls at the property.
Simultaneous Raids
On Tuesday, officers executed search warrants at the Etna home, Angeles' primary residence in Jackson, and a third residence in Victor.
The affidavit says investigators found 40 grams of cocaine, 30 grams of methamphetamine, two AR-15 rifles and about $58,000 in cash at the Jackson residence.
After the arrest, investigators say Angeles admitted selling methamphetamine and cocaine and directed officers to additional narcotics stored at the Etna property.
There, officers recovered 54.1 grams of cocaine and 141.1 grams of methamphetamine.
Investigators say the drugs were hidden inside a garage closet connected to an entertainment room furnished with a pool table, foosball table, couch and television.
Children Visiting
During the Etna search, officers encountered four adults and two children, ages 6 and 9, inside the home.
The children's father told investigators they were visiting from Pennsylvania for a birthday party and had spent the previous night at the house after Angeles offered them a place to stay.
The father reportedly told investigators he was unaware drugs were inside the home.
The affidavit says investigators believe Angeles knowingly allowed the children to remain inside a residence containing methamphetamine, forming the basis for a child endangerment charge.
Charges Filed
Angeles made his initial appearance at a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning in Lincoln County Circuit Court, where Judge Thomas O. Deering advised him of the charges and set his bond at $250,000 cash only.
He is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — one involving methamphetamine and the other cocaine — as well as felony possession of both drugs and one count of child endangerment.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
