Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today Great Falls on April 22, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ALFONSO DAVID AVINA, a 31-year-old resident of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute Sentencing is set for August 7, 2008. He is currently detained. In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would In approximately June of 2005, Victor King, who lived in Havre, became Through another individual, hereafter H.B., King was introduced to AVINA, who lived in southern California. AVINA began to serve as a source of methamphetamine for King. Initially, King H.B., who traveled to California and obtained pound quantities of AVINA. H.B. in turn provided the methamphetamine to King Havre area via a network of subordinate drug dealers.

Eventually, King began to receive the methamphetamine directly from AVINA. He received some of the methamphetamine from AVINA by UPS shipments and some Collectively, King received approximately six pounds of methamphetamine UPS shipments) from AVINA between February of 2006, and September 13, 2006.

On September 13, 2006, King was arrested. When questioned, he stated that AVINA had provided him with methamphetamine which King then distributed in Havre At the request of the authorities, King contacted AVINA and attempted to AVINA. AVINA accepted the money from King and King. AVINA'S fingerprints were found on an envelope related King and AVINA which involved the attempted Victor King pled guilty to federal charges and was sentenced.

AVINA faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Havre.