(Pocatello, ID) U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes in two separate eastern Idaho cases in which the defendants were sentenced to 6.5 years and over 4 years in federal prison, respectively, for fentanyl distribution.
“These cases again demonstrate our unwavering commitment to tackling fentanyl trafficking and keeping this poison out of our communities, including tribal lands,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am grateful to the law enforcement partners and our prosecutors and staff who make these successes possible.”
In one case, Rebecca Marie Lavatta, 33, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced on January 28, 2025, to 78 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court records, on May 17, 2023, following a year-long investigation, detectives with the Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho State Police, and Pocatello Police Department, located Lavatta in Pocatello, and arrested her on outstanding warrants. During a search of her vehicle, law enforcement recovered two loaded handguns, suboxone, and a heat-sealed clear bag containing 5,000 fentanyl pills.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Lavatta to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Lavatta pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2024.
In a separate case, Kristen Nichole Meyer, 28, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, to 57 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court records, on August 18, 2023, Fort Hall Police officers responded to the area of the Fort Hall Casino on a report of a couple who appeared to be fighting. Officers located Kristen Meyer, along with her husband, Andrew Meyer near their car, which had fentanyl pills in plain view. Bingham County Sheriff’s deputies searched the car and found over 12,000 fentanyl pills, along with other drugs. Both Kristen and Andrew Meyer admitted to selling the drugs. Andrew Meyer’s sentencing is scheduled for March 17, 2025.
Chief Judge Nye also ordered Meyer to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Meyer pleaded guilty to the offense in September 2024.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Idaho State Police, and the Pocatello Police Department for their work in the Lavatta case as well as the Fort Hall Police
Department and the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office for the Meyer investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted the Lavatta case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Haycock prosecuted the Meyer case.
