Man sentenced for money laundering

A West Jordan man will spend 23 years in prison for laundering millions in drug money, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Eusebio Aguilera-Meza, 43, transmitted more than $38 million to Mexico between 1998 and 2005 — at least $4 million of that money was from drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney for Utah.

"Money laundering is a global threat, fuel for criminals to conduct their criminal affairs and is used to manipulate and erode our nation's financial systems," IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Wes Eddy said in a prepared statement.

Judge Dale A. Kimball sentenced Aguilera-Meza to 276 months in prison Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Aguilera-Meza's sentence was enhanced for perjury committed while testifying in his own defense, and because the court found him to be an "organizer or leader of the criminal activity" who oversaw at least five other participants.

Five other people have reached plea agreements and received sentences from 6 to 48 months in connection with the case. Warrants are pending for three other suspects.