COEUR d'ALENE - A 50-year-old Spokane man on Tuesday was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered James Stewart to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term, and perform 120 hours of community service.

Lodge said Stewart would forfeit cash proceeds of $180,000 from the illegal drug activity.

Stewart pleaded guilty to the charge on July 12.

According to court documents, Stewart made multiple trips to California to pick up methamphetamine.

In California, Stewart would meet up with co-conspirators and turn the vehicle he drove down there over to them.

Members of the conspiracy would then hide packages of methamphetamine behind the door panels of his vehicle.

He again would meet up with them to get the vehicle back.

With the vehicle loaded with the drugs, Stewart would drive to Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, and Spokane, where it was broken down for distribution and sale.

Stewart's co-defendant, Shad A. Johnson, of Rathdrum, was sentenced on Sept. 7 to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Johnson also was ordered to forfeit $180,000, or substitute property equal to the money judgment.

"These two defendants received lengthy prison sentences for bringing this dangerously addictive drug to Idaho communities," U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced Tuesday.

"The U.S. attorney's office will continue to work with state and federal law enforcement officers throughout Idaho and our neighboring states to ensure that drug traffickers are caught, prosecuted and convicted," Olson said.