Man who dealt drugs sentenced to 70 years in prison

SPOKANE, Wash. – A drug-dealing man involved in a car chase in Spokane four years ago has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington and court documents, the DEA learned that 46-year-old Juan Pablo Carrillo-Nava was dealing drugs in Eastern Washington.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said on August 13, 2020, that investigators had arranged a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from the organization for which Carrillo-Nava worked.

Eventually, agents found a green Honda that Carrillo-Nava had previously used. The U.S. Attorney's Office said police were called to conduct a traffic stop in the area, and found Carrillo-Nava speeding 75 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone into a residential area.

A video released by the U.S. Attorney's Office shows Carrillo-Nava driving his car into an oncoming vehicle, hitting a chain-link fence in the front yard of a Spokane home. Investigators obtained a search warrant and found $28,200 in cash, about two pounds of heroin and over half a pound of methamphetamine.

Spokane Police and the DEA took Carrillo-Nava into custody. Carrillo-Nava was convicted of possession of 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine with the intent to resell.

Carrillo-Nava was sentenced to 70 months in prison, followed by five years probation.

“Drug trafficking poses a serious danger to families, neighborhoods and residents of our community. Mr. Carrillo-Nava attempted to evade arrest by speeding recklessly through the neighborhood, ignoring traffic signs and disregarding posted speed limits. Even after the accident, Mr. Carillo-Nava attempted to evade responsibility by fleeing from police,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Working with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, we will continue to target major drug trafficking organizations, hold their members accountable and keep our communities safe and strong.”