A Boise woman and gang associate who helped distribute methamphetamine in southwest Idaho has been sentenced to just under six years in prison.

In addition to 70 months in prison, Khesha Marie Freese, 35, is to be on probation for 10 years and pay $1,750 in restitution under the sentence imposed Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge in Boise.

Freese is the last of 10 associates and members of the Norteño street gang to be sentenced as part of a 14-month investigation.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill in August dismissed charges against suspect John Robert Rodriguez, 21, at the request of federal prosecutors, who said police interrogated Rodriguez without first reading him his rights.

Freese admitted in September to selling a total of 24 grams of methamphetamine on three occasions in October and November 2010 at her Boise apartment and at two businesses in Nampa.

Six other defendants have pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Andres Marcos Trejo, 25, is serving 46 months. Raul Menchaca, 27, was sentenced to about 7 1/2 years, or 92 months. Terra Lee McFetridge, 29, got 33 months. Justin Alfred Nieto, 24, and Tiffany Ann Stapleton, 31, each received three years while Shawn Lynn Gordon, 33, is serving 10 years.

Baldemar Arteaga, Jr., 28, is serving a 7-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as a concurrent, 5-year term for a gang fight at the Canyon County Jail. Francisco Javier Ramirez-Arreola, 38, is serving 70 months for distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm. Stephen Na, 21, of Santa Rosa, Calif., is serving 10 years for cocaine, meth and gun crimes.

“Methamphetamine trafficking by violent street gang members and their associates poses great danger to our communities,” according to a prepared statement by Wendy Olson, U.S. attorney for Idaho. “ I commend the cooperative Treasure Valley law enforcement effort that produced these convictions and brought swift punishment to those who would poison our communities with this highly addictive drug.”

Sentences are based on the nature of the crime and the criminal histories of the defendants.