Skagit County man pleads guilty to federal cocaine-dealing charges

PETER JENSEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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A man who arranged the April sale of two kilograms of cocaine worth $55,000 to an undercover detective in Bellingham pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Jose Perales-Venegas, a Skagit County resident, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He's facing a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison.

He's set to be sentenced Jan. 29.

His wife, Nereyda, sold the cocaine to the detective and pleaded guilty to the same charge Oct. 2. Her sentencing is set for Jan. 8.

A federal prosecutor dismissed charges against Jose's brothers, Juan and Javier, due to insufficient evidence, according to documents filed in federal court.

Juan and Javier were in a nearby car during the deal, and a loaded handgun belonging to Jose was found under the front passenger seat. They were originally charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug deal, according to court records.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Redkey, who prosecuted this case, was unavailable Wednesday to explain why the evidence against Juan and Javier Perales-Venegas was insufficient, according to Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle.

The detective was working with the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force during the investigation.

According to a complaint filed in federal court:

Detective Glen Slick met with Jose Perales-Venegas three times in February to buy two ounces of cocaine. At their last meeting Feb. 18, they discussed purchasing several kilograms.

On April 16, they arranged the purchase of two kilograms for $55,000. The next day, Jose put the cocaine into an ice chest in his pickup truck and called Slick to say he was sending his wife to the deal because he had to go to work in Burlington.

Slick met Nereyda at a marina in Bellingham, and after the sale was complete task force officers sprang from hiding and arrested her, Juan and Javier. Jose was later arrested at his work.

They were initially charged in Whatcom County Superior Court, but the case was transferred to federal court in June to get them longer sentences if they were convicted, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Redkey said previously.