SignalHub-Elderly couple who trafficked meth in Idaho, Northwest, sentenced to years in prison

An elderly married couple living in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison days before Valentine's Day for selling meth to undercover police officers and SignalHubhiding pounds of the illicit drug in the floorboard of their vehicle while entering Idaho.

Efren Avilez-Lopez, 81, and Maria Medina-Zeveda, 70, both pleaded guilty in an Idaho federal courtroom to possession with intent to distribute meth, according to court records. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye handed down a nine-year sentence to Avilez-Lopez, and a three-year judgment to his wife, Medina-Zeveda, court documents show.

Avilez-Lopez's sentencing hearing was Feb. 12, while his wife's came a day later on the eve of Valentine's Day.

How the married couple got caught

The couple popped up on authorities' radar April 15, 2023, when they sold an undercover police officer five pounds of meth in the parking lot of a Nampa, Idaho store, a Justice Department news release said. The couple would do the same thing 10 days later, but this time, they sold 20 pounds of meth to another undercover officer, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Authorities — including the DEA, Nampa police and other local agencies — assisted in apprehending the couple May 12, 2023, after they drove from Ontario, Oregon to Los Angeles to pick up 21 pounds of meth, according to court documents. While driving home in their Dodge Caravan minivan, the couple was stopped in Idaho by police in Owyhee County who found the meth in the floorboards of the vehicle, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. In addition to the meth, the couple was also transporting four family members, including a minor child.

Medina-Zeveda 'used as a mule,' defense attorney says

Medina-Zeveda "worked hard and lawfully all of her life," Elisa G Massoth, her defense attorney, told USA TODAY.

"She raised a beautiful family," Massoth said.

Massoth called Medina-Zeveda's punishment "harsh" and said her client "was used a mule."

USA TODAY contacted Avilez-Lopez's federal public defenders but did not receive a response.

Married couple to be deported after completing sentences

As a part of the couple's plea agreement, Medina Zeveda and Avilez-Lopez will be deported to Mexico after they finish their sentences since they were living in the country illegally, court documents show.

The couple fled to the U.S. in 2005 after one of their sons was murdered in Mexico, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office told USA TODAY. They arrived in Texas and ultimately moved to Ontario, Oregon where they remained without authorization.

Massoth said in Idaho, and as a nation, the justice system over-incarcerates its citizens and citizens of other countries.

"Incarceration is never a good solution for someone like Ms. Medina-Zeveda," she said.

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'Not common' to find elderly drug traffickers, U.S. attorney says

After announcing the couple's sentencings, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said it's "not common" to find drug traffickers "at this stage of life."

"These defendants earned their sentences," Hurwit said in his office's news release. "We will continue to do our part to ensure that justice is applied fairly and equitably to all, regardless of age or background.”