A Vancouver man was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three weeks after his younger brother was sentenced to five years, 10 months in prison for the same crime.
Armando S. Saldana, 29, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, said Emily Langlie, public affairs officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle.
Ernesto S. Saldana, 27, of Vancouver was sentenced Oct. 1.
Both men are members of the Sureno street gang with extensive criminal histories, Langlie said.
In 2005, the brothers were arrested after robbing two teenage boys at gun and knifepoint. The teenagers, who had been waiting at a bus stop, accepted a ride to Westfield Vancouver mall and were robbed. The victims reported the car’s license plate number and police traced the car to the Saldana brothers, who were later convicted.
Langlie said the brothers came to the attention of the FBI-sponsored Vancouver Safe Streets Task Force last year after officers learned the brothers were suspected of dealing crystal methamphetamine.
The brothers were monitored by law enforcement and, on four occasions in October and November 2009, were recorded selling the highly pure form of methamphetamine, known as “ice.”
Armando Saldana has prior convictions for assault, robbery, drug possession, burglary and escape.
Ernesto Saldana has convictions for drug possession, auto theft, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Southwest Washington Interagency Gang Enforcement Team, made up of officers and agents of the FBI, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Dion, Langlie said.
