A Lakewood man who came to the attention of authorities after his roommate was shot and killed faces a minimum 15 years in prison after being convicted Thursday of federal drug crimes.

A jury deliberated for about five hours following a three-day trial before finding Juan Hidalgo-Mendoza guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hidalgo-Mendoza, 33, was arrested in November 2012 after detectives investigating the shooting death of Jaime Diaz-Solis found heroin and an AK-47 …

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A federal investigation that ended last week netted five arrests and a cache of drugs and guns at houses in Tacoma and Spanaway.

Details on what started the investigation were not immediately available but the Drug Enforcement Administration sent an informant April 23 to buy $1,500 worth of heroin (five ounces) from a man in the bathroom of a Tacoma restaurant.

After the drug deal, agents served search warrants at two houses in Tacoma and one in Spanaway.

They found nearly four pounds of heroin, more than four pounds of methamphetamine, a half pound of cocaine buried in a backyard, …

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Federal prosecutors have filed a motion to keep a South Hill man indicted on drug and weapons charges in jail, arguing that he is a flight risk.

A grand jury last week indicted Jeremy Capodanno, 36, with manufacturing marijuana, carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Given this lengthy sentence, the defendant has an incentive to flee,” prosecutors argue in the 8-page motion. “In addition, the defendant’s previous efforts to hide his assets, suggest that he may still …

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The house where deputies arrested three people in connection with a black tar heroin operation this morning wasn’t unfamiliar to law enforcement, sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said.

Police had been to the house in the 5600 block of South K Street more than 40 times in the past year for various 911 calls, he said, adding that the house is known for transient activity.

There were transients there about 6 a.m. this morning, too, when deputies came with a warrant, Troyer said.

Deputies arrested a 38-year-old woman for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, and a 36-year-old man for suspicion …

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UPDATE: Capodanno pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for June 21.

INITIAL POST: It wasn’t fatally shooting two men that landed Jeremy Capodanno in federal court today – it was possessing the marijuana the dead men broke in to steal and the guns Capodanno used to defend the grow operation in his South Hill garage.

A federal Grand Jury indicted Capodanno, 36, of manufacturing marijuana, carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon.

If convicted as charged, Capodanno faces 15 years in …

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UPDATE: Not guilty pleas were entered on Randall’s behalf in Pierce County Superior Court this morning. Court Commissioner Meagan Foley ordered him jailed in lieu of $250,000.

Deputy prosecutor Timothy Jones said Randall is on suicide watch at the jail. Randall allegedly threatened to kill himself if one of his young relatives died.

A number of his friends and relatives were in court for his arraignment. They left court without talking to reporters.

PREVIOUS POST: A Gig Harbor man was charged with vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment this morning for a suspected drunken driving crash that killed his 9-year-old nephew.

Jayce …

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UPDATE as of 2:14 p.m.: The uncle was transferred from an area hospital to Pierce County Jail this afternoon, according to jail records.

Prosecutors said he will be charged Tuesday.

INITIAL POST: A 9-year-old boy killed in a suspected drunken driving crash over the weekend has been identified as Donovan Best.

The boy was taken off life support Sunday night and died at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma.

Authorities said the boy’s 26-year-old uncle, who was driving when the car flipped, is still in the hospital and will not be charged until he is booked into the Pierce County …

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A 9-year-old boy died tonight after he was ejected Saturday from a car driven by his uncle.

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital spokeswoman Marce Edwards confirmed tonight that the boy has died. The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet identified him.

The crash about 1:30 a.m. Saturday happened as the driver tried to exit from westbound state Route 16 to Purdy Drive, lost control, and flipped the vehicle, according to the State Patrol.

The 26-year-old Gig Harbor man admitted to drinking “too much” and using marijuana prior to driving, troopers said. His blood alcohol level was more than …

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