BILLINGS, Mont. -- A 43-year-old man who acknowledged supplying a large amount of cocaine to two former players for the Billings Outlaws indoor football team for distribution in Montana has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull sentenced Fernando Soto, of Midvale, Utah, on Thursday for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Soto, who played for the now-defunct team, acknowledged in November he supplied cocaine to Shon Flores and Andy Petek, friends of his on the team. Flores, who was the main local dealer, got more than six years in prison on conspiracy charges and was held responsible for about 20 pounds of cocaine. Petek was sentenced to 30 months.
Prosecutors say Soto supplied Flores and others in two separate conspiracies -- the first running from 2004 until early 2008 and the second in 2008 and 2009. In 2005 alone, Soto is accused of supplying Flores with about 26 pounds of the drug.
The Billings Gazette reports the case has led to charges against at least 15 others, including seven former Outlaws players.
------
Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com
Comments