District of Idaho
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Boise Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation for Prostitution and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man pleaded guilty to transportation for prostitution and money laundering.
According to court records, between July 2019 and June 2021, Dannie Carr, 37, of Boise, was the manager of a business engaged in the interstate prostitution of two adult females, primarily between Idaho and Washington. Carr coerced the two adult females to engage and remain in the prostitution business by perpetrating domestic violence upon the two adult females.
Carr is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine or twice the amount involved in the offense, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Bellevue, Washington Police Department, and the Transportation Security Administration, which led to charges.
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Magic Valley Group Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Three Idaho men were sentenced to federal prison this week for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin in the Magic Valley.
According to court records, James Tyler Ferguson, 30, of Jerome, Jedediah Levi Dahl, 41, of Twin Falls, and Jay Dale Cummins, 52, of Twin Falls, conspired with each other and with at least four others to distribute the drugs. Members of the group traveled to Mexico where they obtained methamphetamine and heroin, which was transported back to Idaho and distributed into the Magic Valley area. In June 2020, Cummins was one of the couriers who traveled to Mexico on three such occasions and returned with drugs. After Cummins was terminated from the conspiracy, Ferguson recruited two more couriers who traveled to Mexico to obtain the drugs. On July 11, 2020, Dahl, an active participant in the conspiracy, was stopped by police officers while driving his motorcycle. Dahl was arrested because of an outstanding warrant. During his arrest, police found methamphetamine, heroin, a digital scale, packaging material, and $5,200 in drug proceeds. On July 14, 2020, Idaho State Police detectives conducted a traffic stop on a rental vehicle as it returned from Mexico to Idaho. Two of the drug couriers, Belinda Jean Leverich, 34, and Erica Lyn Overton, 31, both of Twin Falls, were driving the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, detectives found over 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of heroin.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Ferguson, Dahl, and Cummins earlier this week. Ferguson was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Ferguson pleaded guilty to the crime on November 9, 2021. Ferguson has several prior felony drug convictions and was on parole at the time he committed the offense.
Dahl was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Dahl pleaded guilty to the crime on July 26, 2021. Dahl also has prior felony convictions including the crime of delivery of controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with the intent to deliver.
Cummins was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to the crime on December 1, 2021. Cummins has several prior drug-related convictions and two prior felony burglary convictions.
Leverich pleaded guilty on May 25, 2021 and on January 13, 2022, Judge Nye sentenced her to 100 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Overton pleaded guilty on June 8, 2021 and on September 7, 2021, Judge Nye sentenced her to 37 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Codefendant Ryan James DeRuiter, 39, of Filer, who faces up to life imprisonment, is scheduled for sentencing on March 16, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho State Police, Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Department of Correction - Probation and Parole, and the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which led to charges.
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to court records, Travis Rouse, 53, of Caldwell, aided and abetted his co-defendant in transporting methamphetamine from Mexico to Idaho prior to his arrest on February 19, 2021. During his arrest, law enforcement officers searched the vehicle occupied by him and his co-defendant and found approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine and 25 marijuana starter plants. Law enforcement officers also found tools commonly used by drug traffickers to repackage their controlled substances for sale such as a digital scale and empty zip loc baggies.
Rouse has a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Iowa. He also has state convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia and assault -domestic violence in Canyon County, Idaho.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Rouse to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Rouse pleaded guilty to the charge on November 21, 2021.
On November 30, 2021, the co-defendant, Patrick Collingwood, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and applauded the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the City County Narcotics Unit consisting of officers from the Caldwell Police Department and the Canyon County Sheriff’s office, which led to the charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Fruitland Man Sentenced to over 9 Years for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Fruitland man was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on November 8, 2020, Israel Jacob Salinas, 38, pointed a loaded handgun at three individuals in a vehicle near his residence in Fruitland, Idaho. One of these three individuals was a minor. The victims exited their vehicle and began to run away. Salinas fired a shot in their direction, which they believed went over their heads. Salinas fled the scene, traveled to a rural location in Payette County, and buried the handgun in a canal. The firearm was eventually recovered by law enforcement.
Salinas is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction for the distribution of methamphetamine. Salinas is a former gang member with a violent history, including a conviction for aiding and abetting assault resulting in serious bodily injury related to a prison stabbing.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Salinas to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Salians pleaded guilty to the federal firearm charge on October 20, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Payette County Sheriff’s Office, Fruitland Police Department, and the Payette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court records, in May 2020, a citizen witness reported locating child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Kenneth Rowe, 51, of Caldwell. The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force obtained a federal search warrant for the cellphone and located over 1,000 files of child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children and depictions of infants and toddlers engaged in sexual acts. ICAC also located evidence that Rowe had used a messaging application to trade child pornography files with other people and had discussed his desire to sexually abuse a child. Rowe has previously been convicted of other sexual offenses.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Rowe to serve a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $30,000 in restitution to victims in the images he possessed. Judge Nye also ordered Rowe to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Rowe will be required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges. “We make it a top priority to protect children vulnerable to online sexual predators. The trauma of sexual exploitation can last decades, even a lifetime,” said Gonzalez. “Mr. Rowe’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the enduring harm caused when offenders record, preserve, and share images of their abhorrent exploitation of innocent children. Thanks to quick citizen action and a thorough investigation by our partners from Attorney General Wasden and Sheriff Donahue’s offices, this defendant no longer poses a threat to our children,” he concluded.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Greenleaf Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Violation and Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Greenleaf man pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and assaulting a federal officer.
According to court records, in March 2021, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) started investigating vandalism on U.S. Government Property in the Mann Creak Area. The vandalism included markings of “SAI,” which refers to the Sovereign Alliance of Idaho. The vandalism also included threats to federal employees. The USFS identified Erik Konrad Ehrlin, 33, of Greenleaf, Idaho, as a possible suspect. It was reported that Ehrlin was potentially carrying a firearm. Ehrlin was previously convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree in Oregon and cannot lawfully possess firearms.
On April 30, 2021, a USFS special agent and a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy contacted Ehrlin at a campsite in the Mann Creek Area. The deputy observed Ehrlin with a firearm in his possession. During the encounter, Ehrlin entered his truck, attempted to flee, and struck the USFS agent with a part of the truck. He was taken into custody shortly after. In Ehrlin’s campsite, law enforcement located a semi-automatic rifle and in Ehrlin’s truck, law enforcement located a 9mm handgun.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained a search warrant for Ehrlin’s residence in Greenleaf, where agents located a journal with references to the Sovereign Alliance of Idaho. The journal also contained a “Sovereign Citizen’s Oath.” Agents also located two additional firearms, a .22 caliber rifle and a .22 caliber revolver.
Ehrlin is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison for the firearm charge and one year in prison for the assault. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Larry Junior Hillbroom of Hope, Idaho, Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – A Hope, Idaho man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to evidence presented in court, in 2015 and 2016, Larry Junior Hillbroom, 37, conspired with others to smuggle methamphetamine through international airports between North Idaho and the Pacific Islands of Guam and Palau. Hillbroom and others used several different methods to smuggle the drugs, including shampoo containers and carrying the substance on their person. Once in Guam or Palau, Hillbroom would coordinate with locals to sell the methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers learned of the conspiracy and were able to investigate and ultimately arrest Hillbroom and his coconspirators.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Hillbroom to pay a $2,000 fine and serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Hillbroom pleaded guilty to the charge on September 21, 2021.
Hillbroom was originally charged with Morgan Kenney, 36, Zachary Craig Carlson, 31, and Sean Robert Wathen, 50, all of Hope, Idaho. Kenney and Calson previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to prison time. Wathen pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy and is currently set for trial in May 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coeur d' Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Mountain Home Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Mountain Home man pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to statements made in court, on March 15, 2021, Elmore County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in Mountain Home, Idaho. James Doud, 60, of Mountain Home, was the driver of the vehicle and deputies also suspected that Doud was trafficking methamphetamine. During the traffic stop, a K-9 alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 1286 grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of heroin, a 12-gauge shotgun with associated ammunition, and $4,500 in cash. Doud also delivered approximately 867 grams of methamphetamine to two other individuals roughly 30 minutes prior to the traffic stop. Doud had previously been convicted of burglary and was therefore prohibited from possessing the shotgun.
Doud is scheduled to be sentenced on April 19, 2022 and faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, a ten million dollar fine, and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of illegal drugs.
According to court records, Allen Eugene McLean, 20, of Nampa, sold another person methamphetamine on two different occasions. On June 23, 2020, McLean sold 4.5 grams of methamphetamine and on August 13, 2020, he sold 26.7 grams of methamphetamine. As part of the plea agreement, McLean also admitted that he sold another person fentanyl pills on three occasions. On January 27, 2021, he sold 10 compressed fentanyl pills; on February 2, 2021, he sold 19 compressed fentanyl pills; and on February 8, 2021, he sold 15 compressed fentanyl pills. During the transaction on January 27, 2021, he told the purchaser to be careful when ingesting the pills because the pills were “hot” and had caused seven or eight overdose deaths.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered McLean to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. McLean pleaded guilty to the charge on October 12, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Passing Counterfeit CurrencyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A San Leandro, California man was sentenced to four months in federal prison and four months of home confinement for passing counterfeit currency.
According to court records, on March 4, 2021, Darnell Tate, 45, of San Leandro, passed and attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at Home Depot stores in the Treasure Valley. Tate first passed three counterfeit $100 bills at a Home Depot in Nampa. He then attempted to pass three more $100 counterfeit bills at a Home Depot in Meridian but was unsuccessful. He then succeeded in passing three counterfeit $100 bills at a Home Depot in Eagle. Police investigating these transactions located Tate that evening and found him in possession of approximately $10,000 in counterfeit bills.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also imposed three years of supervised release to follow the periods of incarceration and confinement. Tate pleaded guilty to the charge on November 8, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Boise Police Department, Nampa Police Department, and the Eagle Police Department, which led to charges.
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Nampa Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government MoneyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa woman pleaded guilty to theft of government money.
According to court records, in September 2010, Maria Vasquez, 37, of Nampa, filed an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for her son with disabilities. Vasquez was listed as representative payee, and SSA approved the application one month later based upon her reported income. SSA notified Vasquez that she is under a continuing obligation to notify SSA if her income changes.
In 2014, Vasquez completed a redetermination of her son's benefits over the phone with an SSA claims specialist. Vasquez stated that her husband earned approximately $1,000 per month. Again, SSA notified Vasquez that she is under a continuing obligation to notify SSA if her income changes.
Tax returns show that after 2014, however, Vasquez's husband owned a painting business that made significant money. Specifically, Vasquez and her husband filed joint taxes and had income from her husband's business of $52,331, $24,286, $108,777, $80,659, $199,142, and $175,882 in 2014 through 2019, respectively. Despite the increased income, which made her son ineligible to receive SSI, Vasquez never reported to SSA the change in income.
In total, SSA deposited $58,079.40 between January 2014 and September 2020 into an account belonging to Vasquez and her son. As part of the plea agreement with the Government, Vasquez agreed to pay restitution to SSA in the amount of $58,079.40.
“Misusing Social Security benefits, taxpayer funds, is a criminal and punishable act, which my office takes very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “Auditors and criminal investigators will continue to collaborate with SSA and other agencies to identify those who falsify reports for their personal gain. Together with our partners at SSA Office of the Inspector General, we will continue to hold accountable those who commit crimes involving Social Security benefits,” Mr. Gonzalez added.
“For several years as representative payee for her son, Ms. Vasquez misrepresented her household income to the Social Security Administration to fraudulently receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, a critical safety net for those in need,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent in Charge, SSA Office of the Inspector General, Seattle Field Division. “This guilty plea demonstrates that our office will continue to pursue those who defraud SSA. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding her accountable for her criminal actions.”
Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2022 and faces a statutory maximum of ten years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.
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Silver Valley Woman Admits to Wire Fraud Scheme to Embezzle from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – An Osburn, Idaho woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
According to court records, Trina Marie Welch, 48, of Osburn, Idaho, was employed by Kasco of Idaho, LLC as a bookkeeper from 2012 until July 3, 2019. Beginning in at least 2013 and continuing until the day she was terminated on July 3, 2019, Welch used her position as a bookkeeper to engage in a scheme and plan to defraud Kasco and engage in a scheme to obtain money and property by making materially false and fraudulent representations and promises. In summary, Welch embezzled funds from Kasco by writing and creating at least 341 checks which were drawn on the Kasco bank account. Those checks were written to Welch's own credit cards and money was applied to the credit cards outstanding balances. During the plea hearing, Welch admitted that in 2017 alone she took over $930,000 just to pay her Bank of America credit cards. Welch admitted she bought properties for herself and others related to her and spent the money at spas, travel for herself and family and friends, and other personal endeavors. Welch admitted that she took at least $1,500,000, and acknowledged that the United States contends she took at least $3,674,338.86 in total. As part of the plea agreement, Welch agreed to pay restitution and forfeit her interest in any of the properties she bought with the money.
Welch is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to charges.
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Pocatello Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Pocatello man was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, on December 7, 2020, law enforcement intercepted a package in Pocatello. After a law enforcement K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics, officers searched the package and seized 3,751.6 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement repackaged the box, replacing the methamphetamine with rock salt to attempt a controlled delivery. On December 9, 2020, Donald Benningfield, 55, of Pocatello, picked up the package and returned to his residence where he was confronted by law enforcement.
After being read his Miranda rights, Benningfield admitted there would be between five and ten pounds of methamphetamine in the package. He also admitted to previously receiving four other packages of methamphetamine from San Diego, California. Benningfield admitted in court that he attempted to possess the methamphetamine seized from the package and he intended to distribute it.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Benningfield to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Benningfield pleaded guilty to the charge on September 24, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Idaho State Police, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man was sentenced to 68 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, on June 19, 2019, Idaho State Police officers initiated a traffic stop on a van driven by Matthew Gary Leander, III, 39, of Idaho Falls. Law enforcement suspected Leander and his passenger, Kevin Ralph Nixon, 55, also of Idaho Falls, were recently involved in the sale of methamphetamine.
After a short pursuit, law enforcement forcefully stopped the van. Leander then fled on foot and was later apprehend. A search of Nixon’s person yielded a bag that contained methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In the vehicle, law enforcement also found 99.54 grams of methamphetamine. Leander admitted at the time of his guilty plea that he possessed the methamphetamine to distribute it to others.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Leander to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Leander pleaded guilty to the charges on August 18, 2021. On December 6, 2021, Judge Nye sentenced Nixon to three years of probation.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Idaho State Police-District 6, and the Idaho Falls Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 188 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 127 have been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,857 months (approximately 655 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.09 months (4.42 years). Defendants indicted for drug trafficking offenses serve, on average, approximately 42.13 months (3.5 years) in federal prison.
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Dagoberto Leroy Turnbull, 32, of Caldwell, sold another person methamphetamine on two different occasions. On December 22, 2020, Turnbull sold one quarter pound of methamphetamine and on January 12, 2021, he sold an additional quarter pound of methamphetamine. Turnbull was arrested on February 22, 2021 and found with a half-ounce of methamphetamine and over $3,300.
Turnbull has a long and violent criminal history with convictions ranging from grand theft to battery.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Turnbull to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nampa Police Department, and Meridian Police Department, which led to charges against Turnbull.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Twin Falls Man Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Twin Falls man was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, in September 2019, Cody J. Moore, 50, of Twin Falls, traveled to Arizona with his co-conspirator, Brian E. Felt, 47, of Pocatello, to purchase methamphetamine they planned to traffic back to Idaho. On September 15, 2019, officers stopped Moore, who was driving the vehicle, in Bannock County, along with Felt and two other passengers, returning from Arizona. A drug dog indicated for the presence of narcotics in Moore’s car and the vehicle was subsequently searched.
Inside the car, officers recovered 1.88 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. Also present was a loaded 9mm Diamondback handgun and a loaded Glock .40 caliber Gen 4 handgun. Moore admitted at the time of his guilty plea that he possessed the methamphetamine to distribute it to others.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Moore to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Moore pleaded guilty to the charges on September 24, 2021.
On October 5, 2020, Judge Winmill sentenced Felt to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for his role in the offense.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and credited the combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Idaho State Police, and Pocatello Police Department. "This sentence is the result of tremendous cooperation and teamwork between all levels of law enforcement in eastern Idaho," said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. "I'm incredibly proud of these dedicated federal, state, and local officers and agents. The community must know that all hands are on deck as we continue to work together to defeat the scourge of illegal drugs that is devastating communities across this great state," he concluded.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, Robert Lee Brittain, 54, of Boise, sold two pounds of methamphetamine to another person in February 2021. Investigators obtained a warrant authorizing the search of Brittain’s residence in Boise. When investigators searched his residence on February 23, 2021, they found over 15 pounds of methamphetamine, digital scales, packaging materials, and over $39,000. Brittain was home during the search and was the only occupant of the residence. On September 8, 2021, Brittain pleaded guilty to the charge and admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
Brittain’s criminal history includes prior felony convictions for lewd conduct with a minor and failure to register as a sex offender. He previously served over ten years in prison for his convictions.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered Brittain to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence and also ordered Brittain to forfeit $37,000 of drug proceeds.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and credited the combined efforts of the Nampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force, which includes officers from the Nampa Police Department, Boise Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, Cainen Bleu Johnson, 44, of Nampa, was pulled over on a routine traffic stop on February 16, 2021. During the traffic stop, Johnson became visibly agitated, refused to give his driver’s license to law enforcement, put his vehicle in drive, and fled the scene. After a high-speed chase, law enforcement officers were able to safely perform a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the vehicle and apprehended Johnson after a brief standoff. A subsequent search of Johnson’s vehicle uncovered 399.09 grams of methamphetamine, that he admitted he intended to distribute to others, along with 5.5 grams of heroin, and 1.3 grams of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Johnson also possessed a digital scale and plastic packaging materials commonly used to weigh and package methamphetamine for distribution.
Johnson has a long criminal history with convictions ranging from resisting or obstructing officers to grand theft. Johnson was on parole from a prison sentence for possession of a controlled substance when he committed this crime.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and credited the efforts of the Nampa Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Pocatello Man Sentenced to 7.5 Years for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Pocatello man was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on December 9, 2020, officers with the Pocatello Police Department observed Jimmy D. Martin, 44, of Pocatello, who had active warrants for his arrest, leaving his residence on a motorcycle. Officers tried to initiate a traffic stop. Martin failed to yield and engaged police in a pursuit that ended when Martin crashed his motorcycle near the intersection of East Alameda and Franklin in Pocatello. Martin was apprehended after attempting to run away on foot. Police officers located two firearms and a significant quantity of methamphetamine in Martin’s possession after placing him under arrest. One of the firearms had previously been reported stolen. Martin had numerous prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Martin to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Martin pleaded guilty to the charge on September 23, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Pocatello Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 188 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 41 have been indicted on prohibited possession of firearms or ammunition charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,857 months (approximately 655 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.09 (4.42 years). Defendants indicted for offenses involving firearms or ammunition serve, on average, approximately 42.13 months (3.5 years) in federal prison.
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New Mexico Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition After Standoff with Bannock County Sheriff’s DeputiesRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Albuquerque, New Mexico man was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
According to court records, Jason Richard Sandoval, 46, of Albuquerque, was contacted by Bannock County Sheriffs deputies on May 7, 2020 near Yoxall Road in Downey, Idaho. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call that Sandoval was claiming to have a bomb and acting erratically. Deputies attempted to contact Sandoval, however Sandoval barricaded himself in a nearby pumphouse. Sandoval discharged a firearm during the standoff with law enforcement. Eventually, Sandoval surrendered himself to authorities. Deputies recovered ammunition and what appeared to be a personally made firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” in Sandoval’s possession. Sandoval had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Sandoval to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Sandoval pleaded guilty to the charge on May 11, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bannock County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 188 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 41 have been indicted on prohibited possession of firearms or ammunition charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,857 months (approximately 655 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.09 (4.42 years). Defendants indicted for offenses involving firearms or ammunition serve, on average, approximately 42.13 months (3.5 years) in federal prison.
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Rigby Man Sentenced to 45 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Rigby man was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the investigation began in September 2019, after an individual reported finding videos of a nude minor on an iPhone belonging to Tel James Boam, 39, of Rigby. A detective with the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for Boam’s iCloud account. An agent with Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls searched Boam’s iCloud account and found that Boam had attempted to produce, by surreptitious recording, 36 sexually explicit videos of a fourteen-year-old child, and that Boam had possessed those videos. Testimony provided that the videos were produced with a spy camera that Boam purchased using his credit card.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Boam to a lifetime of supervised release, which will commence upon completing his prison sentence. Boam will also be required to register as a sex offender. A restitution hearing will be set at a later date to determine any restitution owed to the victim by Boam. Boam was convicted by a federal jury sitting in Pocatello on September 20, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., commended the cooperative efforts of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, and the Rexburg Police Department, which led to charges. “This type of investigative work is not easy, but our collective efforts – to protect children in need and at risk, to support juvenile victims, and to safeguard our young people from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking – have never been more urgent,” said Gonzalez. “I thank our federal and local partners for all that they did in this case, and I look forward to working with each of them to further develop and execute our child safety strategy.”
“This sentence highlights the important collaborative role HSI, our law enforcement partners, and public citizens play in protecting the community from child predators,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Those that seek to exploit the most vulnerable of us, our children, have no place to hide.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Nampa Woman Pleads Guilty to Failure to Account for and Pay over Employment TaxRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa woman pleaded guilty to failure to account for and pay over employment tax.
According to court records, from approximately 1999 to 2019, Nicole Beth Howerzyl, 69, of Nampa, was a corporate officer for Dave’s Motorcycle, Inc. (DMI) in Nampa. DMI was in the business of selling and servicing motorcycles. During that time, Howerzyl handled the bookkeeping for DMI, and exercised control over DMI’s financial affairs, including approving all payments by DMI and controlling all of DMI’s bank accounts.
For the calendar years 2013 to 2019, DMI employed approximately 15 to 25 people per year. During that period, DMI withheld taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes, Medicare, and social security taxes, often referred to as "payroll taxes." Howerzyl directly issued payroll checks twice per month and withheld payroll taxes from employees’ paychecks. Howerzyl also issued annual Forms W-2 to the employees of DMI, which reflected their gross wages, as well as their payroll taxes.
As a corporate officer of DMI, Howerzyl was aware that she had the corporate responsibility to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over DMI’s payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and file an Employer’s Quarterly Federal Income Tax Return (Form 941) following the end of each calendar quarter.
DMI, however, made no payments to the IRS for the calendar years 2013 to 2019. DMI further failed to file quarterly employment tax returns (Forms 941) with the IRS. Specifically, for the tax years 2013 to 2019, Howerzyl failed to account for $4,874,572.73 in wages at DMI and pay over $1,161,135.25 to the IRS in payroll taxes.
As part of the plea agreement with the Government, Howerzyl agreed to pay outstanding restitution to the IRS in the amount of $373,552.21.
“Collecting payroll taxes from workers then failing to pay over those amounts to the federal government is a gross breach of trust and is not a victimless crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “It is stealing from the workers, as well as the public, and hurts all Americans. Those who flaunt federal tax laws, must know that they will be investigated and prosecuted," he said.
“Defrauding the government by failing to submit payroll taxes to the IRS is also a crime against all honest taxpayers as the lost tax revenue is burdened by everyone else,” said Andy Tsui, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Ms. Howerzyl’s plea today serves as an important reminder that IRS:CI is committed to bringing to justice those who evade their corporate tax responsibilities for their personal gain.”
Howerzyl is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2022 and faces a statutory maximum of five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho commended the efforts of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, which led to charges.
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Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez Announces a $344,963 Grant Awarded to the Idaho ICAC Task Force to Help Fund Ongoing OperationsRead the Press Release
BOISE – Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today that the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received an award totaling $344,963 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
The Idaho ICAC Task Force is a statewide multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional task force that detects, investigates, prosecutes, and engages in prevention activities involving technology-facilitated crimes against children. The task force is led by the Idaho Attorney General's Office, which employs a unit of experienced investigators and forensic examiners that actively investigate ICAC cases throughout the state on a full-time basis.
“I am encouraged to see federal resources come to Idaho, resources that will be used to forge and to strengthen vital relationships, to share information and best practices, and to take our efforts to prevent and reduce child exploitation to a new level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “ICAC is a recognized leader dedicated to keeping our nation’s most sacred pledge and helping to fulfill our promise to ensure security and opportunity for our children. As everyone knows, this work is not easy, but our collective efforts – to protect children in need and at risk, to support juvenile victims, and to safeguard our young people from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking – have never been more urgent. I thank our state and local partners for all that they have done, and I look forward to working with each of them to further develop and execute our child safety strategy and to celebrate additional achievements.”
“ICAC is a partnership strengthened by support from local, state and federal resources,” Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “I thank our federal partners for continuing to recognize the need that exists in Idaho for a strong, well-equipped task force that targets those who prey on our children and grandchildren. Idaho’s young people will be safer as a result of this support and for that I am grateful.”
OJJDP grant funds will support program costs to include personnel, overtime for affiliate agencies, an officer wellness program, equipment, software, and mobile services for the task force's activities. The task force will equip and train investigators in Internet investigations; equip and train forensic analysts of digital evidence; coordinate effective prosecution and training for law enforcement and prosecutors; recruit, train and equip new agencies to build statewide capacity to effectively investigate crimes and respond to requests from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other partners; and provide public education regarding Internet safety and crime prevention techniques. The task force's progress will be measured in terms of the number of investigations conducted, arrests made, investigators/prosecutors trained, agencies equipped, presentations conducted, and – most importantly – children rescued.
Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. Parents, educators and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.
To learn more about OJJDP, please visit ojjdp.ojp.gov/about. For additional information about the OJJDP’s Fiscal Year 2021 Strengthening ICAC Technological Investigative Capacity funding, please visit ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-ojjdp-2021-121002.
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Boise Man Sentenced to over 4.5 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on October 10, 2020, a police officer attempted to contact Anthony Alex Howard, 32, of Boise, after observing him drive away from a known drug house and subsequently commit a traffic violation. Howard was outside his vehicle when the officer contacted him and was wearing a gray satchel. Howard refused to obey commands from the officer and a physical struggle ensued. Howard broke free from the officer and fled on foot. Shortly after, Howard was located and arrested by other officers.
Officers located the gray satchel in a nearby yard. Inside, officers found a stolen .45 caliber pistol. At the location where the officer initially contacted Howard, officers found another stolen .45 caliber pistol. Howard is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior federal firearms conviction for possessing stolen firearms. Howard was on state probation at the time of the offense.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Howard to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Howard pleaded guilty to the charges on September 16, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Boise Police Department, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Sawed-Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possession of an unregistered firearm and the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on April 27, 2019, police received a call regarding a disoriented male with a vehicle that had broken down in Canyon County. Police responded and located Paul Clements, 58, of Nampa, by a pickup truck with the hood open. Clements was arrested on outstanding warrants and police searched the pickup truck. Under the driver’s seat, police located a sawed-off shotgun. Clements is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony burglary conviction and was on probation at the time of the offense. Additionally, the sawed-off shotgun was not registered to Clements under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as is required by law.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Clements to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Clements pleaded guilty to the charges on September 13, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Canyon County Sheriff's Office, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Acting U.S. Attorney Warns of Increasing Danger of Counterfeit Prescription Opioids Containing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOISE – Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III today highlighted the danger that counterfeit prescription pills pose to our community. They seek to warn of the significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans, and Idahoans, at an unprecedented rate.
An estimated 100,306 people died as the result of a drug overdose in the United States from April 2020 through April 2021 and more than 75 percent of those deaths involved an opioid. This is an increase of nearly 28.5 percent year over year. Idaho overdose deaths increased for the third year in a row to 280 with the incidents of overdose nearly 20 times the number of deaths.
Historically, the opioid epidemic began with a rapid increase in the prescribing of opioids starting in the 1990s. It continued when those addicted to opioids began to use heroin because it was cheaper and more readily available. Now, the most recent part of this epidemic is the increase in availability of counterfeit pills. Counterfeit pills are illicitly manufactured in clandestine labs, mostly using fentanyl as the active ingredient, and are made to look like legitimate prescription opioids commonly prescribed to alleviate pain or anxiety. These counterfeit pills are then illegally sold by street drug dealers as Oxycodone, Xanax, Percocet, or other similar drugs. Counterfeit pills are also being sold over the internet and delivered by mail. It is important to note that there is no concern of counterfeit pills entering the legitimate prescription supply chain.
“Prescription opioid abuse has already taken a devastating toll on our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “But we have also seen a terrifying rise in the prevalence of counterfeit prescription pills being sold on the street and online. The public must be aware that while these pills may look like prescription drugs, they likely contain the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.” He went on to emphasize that, “a lethal dosage of fentanyl is just two milligrams, equivalent in size to a few grains of salt, as compared to a lethal dose of heroin at 30 milligrams, and that’s why communities everywhere have tragically experienced more fatal overdoses. That pill you bought off the street could be the last one you ever take.”
Counterfeit pills are incredibly dangerous because these imitation pills often look exactly like prescription Oxycodone in size, shape, color, and markings. In other words, there is no way to tell whether a pill purchased illicitly on the internet or the street is actually Oxycodone or a more powerful drug. The picture below on the left is an image of a legitimate Oxycodone pill. The picture on the right is an image of counterfeit Oxycodone pills.
These counterfeit pills have been seized by DEA in every U.S. state in unprecedented quantities. More than 9.5 million counterfeit pills were seized so far this year, which is more than the last two years combined. DEA laboratory testing reveals a dramatic rise in the number of counterfeit pills containing at least two milligrams of fentanyl, which is considered a lethal dose. A deadly dose of fentanyl is small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil. “Frankly, if it weren’t for the outstanding work of first responders administering naloxone (an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverse opioid overdose) and saving lives of those who have overdosed, the number of deaths would be much, much higher,” said Gonzalez.
“The availability and seizure of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills has exploded in the region,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent In Charge of DEA’s Seattle Field Division. “Criminal drug networks in Mexico are mass-producing fentanyl which is driving the increase in overdose deaths. The DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to stemming the tide of this surge of lethal pills on our city streets by targeting the criminal networks who are profiteering while causing death in our communities.”
Unless prescription drugs are obtained from an authorized medical provider or pharmacy, the public should not consume or even handle these pills. The synthetic opioids contained in them are often lethal if consumed even if in the smallest amounts. All Idahoans are urged to only use prescription drugs prescribed to them by legitimate health care providers and obtained from their pharmacy. “I’m urging you to share this potentially life-saving message with friends and family today. Help us save a life,” concluded Gonzalez.
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Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
According to court records, on May 19, 2021, during an Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole search, Daniel Vega, 44, of Nampa, was found in possession of a 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. At the time of the search, Vega was on probation because of a prior conviction for felony domestic battery with traumatic injury and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
Vega pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison for each charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole, and the Nampa Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Fry Foods, Inc. Human Resources Manager Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Payroll and COVID-19 Testing SchemesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Meridian man was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering based on schemes to defraud his employer, Fry Foods, Inc., during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the plea agreement, Douglas Wold, 49, of Meridian, worked as a Human Resources Manager for Fry Foods, Inc. in Ontario, Oregon, and executed two separate schemes.
First, beginning in at least May 2020 and continuing through August 2020, Wold committed wire fraud by submitting fraudulent payroll requests for individuals who never worked at Fry Foods or who no longer worked at Fry Foods at the time of the payroll requests. Payroll checks were processed based on Wold’s requests. Wold then deposited these fraudulent payroll checks into his own bank accounts.
Second, Wold committed mail fraud with respect to a COVID-19 testing program at Fry Foods’ Weiser location in May 2020. Wold issued a fraudulent invoice to Fry Foods in the name of his business, Hala Lallo Health, for $39,995 when, in fact, the testing was provided by another entity and at a greatly lower cost. When Fry Foods paid Hala Lallo Health for the testing, Wold deposited the funds into a bank account he controlled and did not pay the health care provider that actually conducted the testing.
Wold committed the offense of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity by transferring $69,116.48 in proceeds from his frauds for the purchase a speedboat and trailer, which the Government has since recovered.
“The outcome in this case reflects our office’s longstanding commitment to hold accountable anyone who engages in corporate fraud,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “It also shows our ability to work with our law enforcement partners to quickly investigate and prosecute fraud schemes that arise from or seek to take advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This sentence is the price Wold will pay for abusing his position of trust to create a stream of income he was not entitled to,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Andy Tsui. “IRS-CI will continue to use our investigative resources to hold accountable those who exploit others for their own financial benefit.”
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Wold to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. A final order of restitution will be determined during a hearing to be held at a later date. Wold pleaded guilty to the charges on May 18, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the cooperative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Malheur County’s Sheriff’s Office, Meridian Police Department, and Ada County Probation Office, which led to charges.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, Patrick William Collingwood, 39, of Nampa, transported methamphetamine and cash between Mexico and Idaho for a period of approximately four months before his arrest on February 19, 2021. During Collingwood’s arrest, law enforcement officers searched his vehicle and found nearly 15 pounds of methamphetamine and 25 marijuana starter plants. Law enforcement officers also found tools commonly used by drug traffickers to repackage their controlled substances for sale such as a digital scale and empty plastic baggies.
Collingwood has several prior state convictions and currently has a trafficking in methamphetamine charge pending in Canyon County and a possession of a controlled substance charge pending in Ada County.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Collingwood to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and applauded the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the City County Narcotics Unit consisting of officers from the Caldwell Police Department and the Canyon County Sheriff’s office, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography.
According to court records, on May 5, 2020, a citizen witness reported that she observed child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Kenneth Rowe, 50, of Caldwell. The citizen witness turned the cellphone over to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office and the investigation was referred to the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. ICAC obtained a federal search warrant to review the cellphone for evidence of the possession of child pornography and located over a thousand files of child pornography and evidence that Rowe was the owner of the cellphone. Law enforcement also located evidence that Rowe used an application on his cellphone to trade files of child pornography with other individuals. At the time of the investigation, Rowe was a registered sex offender who was on parole for a prior sex offense.
Sentencing is scheduled before Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye on February 15, 2022. Because Rowe has a prior conviction for a sexual offense, the crime of possession of child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $5,100 special assessment. As part of his plea agreement, Rowe agreed to forfeit the cellphone he used in the commission of the offense.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Idaho Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on October 13, 2020, the Idaho State Police stopped a vehicle, which had been reported stolen, on I-15 in Bonneville County. During the traffic stop, law enforcement contacted Jonathan Manuel Martinez, 31, of Idaho Falls, who was the driver and sole occupant. Martinez informed law enforcement that there was a shotgun in the front seat of the vehicle. Law enforcement recovered a short-barreled shotgun. Martinez had previously been convicted of a felony offense and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Martinez faces up to ten years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. His sentencing is set for February 8, 2022 in front of Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the collaborative efforts of the Idaho State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which led to the charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 186 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 40 have been indicted for prohibited person in possession of firearm charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,646 months (approximately 637 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.4 months (4.45 years). Defendants indicted for prohibited person in possession of a firearm cases serve, on average, approximately 41 months (3.42 years) in federal prison.
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Burley Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Burley man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
According to court records, on April 20, 2020, detectives with the Minidoka-Cassia Drug Task Force received a tip that suspicious activity was occurring in an industrial business complex in Paul, Idaho. Task force detectives conducted surveillance based on the tip and saw Fernando Najera, 42, of Burley, arrive at the industrial complex. He was seen carrying a bag into one of the buildings. Najera left a short time later in his vehicle. Further investigation led to a search of Najera’s vehicle where detectives located approximately 35.5 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of U.S currency, and other indicia of drug sales.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered Najera to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Najera was also found in violation of federal supervised release from a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. Najera was sentenced on this violation to 18 months in prison to be served concurrently with his 60-month prison sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Cassia County Sheriff's Office and the Minidoka County Sheriff's Office collaborative task force, which led to charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 186 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 139 have been indicted on drug distribution charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,646 months (approximately 637 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.4 months (4.45 years). Defendants indicted for drug distribution cases serve, on average, approximately 58.9 months (4.9 years) in federal prison.
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Weiser Man Sentenced to over 5 Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Weiser man was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court records, in March of 2020, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began investigating two CyberTips from Yahoo. A CyberTip is a report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC gathers leads and tips regarding suspected online crimes against children and forwards them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. According to the CyberTips, between February 13, 2018, and March 11, 2020, child pornography was uploaded to a Yahoo account that was later identified as belonging to Stuart Bardan, 37, of Weiser.
ICAC obtained a search warrant for the contents of the Yahoo account and located several images of child pornography, including files depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts. ICAC also located evidence that Bardan had used his email account to distribute files of child pornography to other individuals. On July 9, 2020, ICAC executed a federal search warrant at Bardan’s residence in Weiser to search for evidence of the possession of child pornography. ICAC seized Bardan’s cellphone and located numerous files of child pornography on the cellphone. Bardan admitted to using his email account to distribute child pornography and to searching for child pornography on the internet.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Bardan to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence and ordered Bardan to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Bardan will be required to register as a sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Twin Falls Woman Sentenced for Benefit FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Twin Falls woman was sentenced to five years of probation for social security fraud.
According to court records, Jenna Nichole Castaneda, 30, of Twin Falls, knowingly and intentionally underreported and misrepresented her husband’s income to the Social Security Administration on multiple occasions from 2013 to 2018. As a result, Castaneda received $42,451.41 in Supplemental Security Income benefits on behalf of herself and her child, to which she was not entitled. Castaneda also applied for and received additional benefits that were administered by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. In her applications, she underreported and misrepresented her husband’s income. As a result, she erroneously received Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled benefits totaling $64,842.22. As a result of her intentional misreporting, Castaneda fraudulently received $107,293.73 in benefits for herself and her children.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Castaneda to pay $107,293.73 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Castaneda pleaded guilty to the charge on January 22, 2021.
“Castaneda’s criminal conduct lasted for five years, undermining SSA’s mission to provide for the vulnerable among us,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “I commend the investigators for their steadfast commitment to ensuring justice in this case.”
“Ms. Castaneda repeatedly misrepresented her spouse’s income to continue to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Her false statements are not only criminal, but also led to her fraudulently receiving $42,451 in SSI benefits for herself and her child,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Seattle Field Division. “The SSI program is a needs-based program, and we will continue to work with other agencies and our law enforcement partners to ensure that only those who are truly eligible for these critical benefits receive them. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
“For personal gain, Ms. Castaneda exploited programs that are funded by taxpayers and dedicated to public service,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Her attempts to line her pockets betrayed the Medicaid program, other beneficiaries who rely on the program’s financial stability, and the general public.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez formally recognized the cooperative efforts of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which led to charges.
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Post Falls Doctor Pays $110,000 to Settle Allegations that He Overprescribed OpioidsRead the Press Release
COEURD'ALENE – Dr. Eric Benson, an internist practicing medicine in Post Falls, Idaho, agreed to pay $110,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to patients between 2014-2021. The settlement, which was based in part on Dr. Benson’s ability to pay, also restricts the doctor’s capacity to take on new patients already being prescribed opioids.
According to the settlement agreement, the government alleged that Dr. Benson wrote prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose and were issued outside the usual course of professional practice in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The government also alleged that Dr. Benson’s unlawful prescriptions caused the presentation of false claims for prescription drug benefits to Medicare and Medicaid in violation of the False Claims Act.
“Opioid addiction and dependence often begin with doctors prescribing excessive amounts of pain killers to patients who want them, but who do not need them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., who announced the settlement. “Medical professionals must know that they are civilly accountable under the Controlled Substances Act when they write prescriptions that lack a legitimate medical purpose. This settlement demonstrates our commitment to an all-of-community approach to addressing the opioid crisis.”
“The allegations in this matter describe an egregious affront to patient safety and a blatant disregard for the intended purpose of Medicare and Medicaid funds,” stated Steven J. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG ardently pursues medical providers who shirk their duties to provide appropriate patient care and to support HHS program integrity.”
“Doctor Benson’s irresponsible prescribing habits violate federal law, breach his medical license, and present a clear danger to our nation’s health and security,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge of DEA’s Seattle Field Division. “Dr. Benson’s behavior is also a violation of public trust, and contributes to the many complexities fueling the opioid epidemic and endangering the citizens of Idaho. We continue to work with our law enforcement partners in opioid overdose prevention and awareness, while relentlessly pursuing those that overprescribe opioids.”
This matter was investigated jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, with additional assistance provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Idaho Board of Pharmacy.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no admission or determination of liability.
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Owner of a Tanker Company Sentenced to Prison for Lying to OSHA, Violating DOT Safety StandardsRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Pocatello man was sentenced to a month in federal prison, five months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and a $15,000 fine today for lying to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and for making an illegal repair to a cargo tanker in violation of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. The crimes came to light through the investigation of an explosion.
On May 20, Loren Kim Jacobson, 65, of Pocatello, an owner of a tanker testing and repair company, KCCS Inc., pleaded guilty to the above offenses. The case arose from an explosion that occurred at KCCS during a cargo tanker repair on Aug. 14, 2018, which severely injured a KCCS employee. According to the plea agreement, the KCCS employee’s welder flame pierced the skin of the tanker, and ignited residual flammable material inside. After the explosion, an OSHA investigator interviewed Jacobson about the circumstances surrounding the accident, as part of an investigation into whether Jacobson had violated OSHA safety standards for cargo tanker repair work. Jacobson made a materially false statement to the OSHA investigator during that interview, namely that the welder was merely an “observer,” not an employee, and that KCCS did not have any employees, as OSHA requirements only apply to “employers.”
Jacobson lied about not having employees to try to evade legal repercussions and penalties for his violation of various Occupational Safety and Health Act safety standards during the repair that resulted in the explosion. According to the sentencing memorandum, Jacobson also lied about several other points, including telling the OSHA inspector that he had used a lower explosive limit meter to test the tank for explosive fumes prior to welding. Using such a meter could have detected the fumes that resulted in the explosion.
Jacobson also admitted in the plea agreement that he did not possess the necessary certification to conduct cargo tanker repairs, which he regularly conducted at KCCS. Under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, all repairs to the skin of a cargo tanker require that the repairperson hold an “R stamp,” which can be obtained only after meeting extensive training requirements. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that those conducting repairs on cargo tankers (which often haul flammable materials) have adequate training and expertise to do so safely. Jacobson admitted that he had a regular practice of making repairs requiring an R-stamp despite knowing he did not have one, and that he would send employees into cargo tankers to weld patches from the inside so that the illegal repairs would not be visible from the outside. Jacobson did not follow OSHA safety standards for protecting employees from such dangerous “confined space entries.” According to the plea agreement, Jacobson directed his employee to conduct a hidden repair of this type on the tanker that subsequently exploded, in violation of both OSHA safety standards and the R-stamp requirement.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Jacobson also had a routine practice of falsifying results for pressure testing that he conducted on behalf of cargo tank owners. Pressure testing is required under law and is intended to make sure that cargo tanks will automatically vent gases if pressure inside the tank gets too high, thereby preventing explosions. Instead of actually testing tank valves, Jacobson merely wrote plausible numbers on the test result forms. When confronted about this practice, Jacobson lied to a Department of Transportation inspector about it, attempting to hide the practice by producing fake test result forms with passing values. He later admitted his practice of falsifying pressure test results.
“This tragic accident could have been prevented had the defendant adhered to OSHA workplace safety requirements,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “It is vital that companies follow all health and safety guidelines and ensure a safe workplace for its employees. By callously focusing on financial gain, the defendant created the conditions that led to the explosion,” Gonzalez added before commending the investigators at OSHA, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency for uncovering the evidence in this case.”
“Playing cat and mouse with inspectors, rather than complying with legal requirements that keep workplaces safe, is a dangerous game that can ruin lives,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Department of Justice will hold accountable those who mock the law this way.”
“Loren Jacobson made material false statements to OSHA investigators regarding his failure to take safety precautions to protect his employees,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Quentin Heiden of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General's Los Angeles Region. “His actions put his employees at extreme risk and resulted in the explosion of a cargo tanker they were repairing. Today’s sentencing affirms the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s commitment to bring to justice those who lie to OSHA officials.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the cooperative efforts of the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and the Environmental Protection Agency which led to charges. He also praised the assistance from the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section trial attorney.
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Owner of a Tanker Company Sentenced to Prison for Lying to OSHA, Violating DOT Safety StandardsRead the Press Release
An Idaho man was sentenced to a month in prison, five months’ home confinement, three years’ supervised release, and a $15,000 fine today for lying to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and for making an illegal repair to a cargo tanker in violation of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. The crimes came to light through the investigation of an explosion.
On May 20, Loren Kim Jacobson, 65, of Pocatello, an owner of a tanker testing and repair company, KCCS Inc., pleaded guilty to the above offenses. The case arose from an explosion that occurred at KCCS during a cargo tanker repair on Aug. 14, 2018, which severely injured a KCCS employee. According to the plea agreement, the KCCS employee’s welder flame pierced the skin of the tanker, and ignited residual flammable material inside. After the explosion, an OSHA investigator interviewed Jacobson about the circumstances surrounding the accident, as part of an investigation into whether Jacobson had violated OSHA safety standards for cargo tanker repair work. Jacobson made a materially false statement to the OSHA investigator during that interview, namely that the welder was merely an “observer,” not an employee, and that KCCS did not have any employees, as OSHA requirements only apply to “employers.”
Jacobson lied about not having employees to try to evade legal repercussions and penalties for his violation of various Occupational Safety and Health Act safety standards during the repair that resulted in the explosion. According to the sentencing memorandum, Jacobson also lied about several other points, including telling the OSHA inspector that he had used a lower explosive limit meter to test the tank for explosive fumes prior to welding. Using such a meter could have detected the fumes that resulted in the explosion.
Jacobson also admitted in the plea agreement that he did not possess the necessary certification to conduct cargo tanker repairs, which he regularly conducted at KCCS. Under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, all repairs to the skin of a cargo tanker require that the repairperson hold an “R‑stamp,” which can be obtained only after meeting extensive training requirements. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that those conducting repairs on cargo tankers (which often haul flammable materials) have adequate training and expertise to do so safely. Jacobson admitted that he had a regular practice of making repairs requiring an R-stamp despite knowing he did not have one, and that he would send employees into cargo tankers to weld patches from the inside so that the illegal repairs would not be visible from the outside. Jacobson did not follow OSHA safety standards for protecting employees from such dangerous “confined space entries.” According to the plea agreement, Jacobson directed his employee to conduct a hidden repair of this type on the tanker that subsequently exploded, in violation of both OSHA safety standards and the R-stamp requirement.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Jacobson also had a routine practice of falsifying results for pressure testing that he conducted on behalf of cargo tank owners. Pressure testing is required under law and is intended to make sure that cargo tanks will automatically vent gases if pressure inside the tank gets too high, thereby preventing explosions. Instead of actually testing tank valves, Jacobson merely wrote plausible numbers on the test result forms. When confronted about this practice, Jacobson lied to a Department of Transportation inspector about it, attempting to hide the practice by producing fake test result forms with passing values. He later admitted his practice of falsifying pressure test results.
“Playing cat and mouse with inspectors, rather than complying with legal requirements that keep workplaces safe, is a dangerous game that can ruin lives,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Department of Justice will hold accountable those who mock the law this way.”
“This tragic accident could have been prevented had the defendant adhered to OSHA workplace safety requirements,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez. Jr. for the District of Idaho. “It is vital that companies follow all health and safety guidelines and ensure a safe workplace for its employees. By callously focusing on financial gain, the defendant created the conditions that led to the explosion,” Gonzalez added before commending the investigators at OSHA, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency for uncovering the evidence in this case.”
“Loren Jacobson made material false statements to OSHA investigators regarding his failure to take safety precautions to protect his employees,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Quentin Heiden of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General's Los Angeles Region. “His actions put his employees at extreme risk and resulted in the explosion of a cargo tanker they were repairing. Today’s sentencing affirms the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s commitment to bring to justice those who lie to OSHA officials.”
Trial Attorney Cassandra Barnum, of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hurwit are prosecuting this case with assistance from criminal investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General.
Marsing Man Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Marsing man was sentenced to 91 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Scottie Wilbur Medlin, 31, of Marsing, sold an ounce of methamphetamine to another person on October 17, 2019, in exchange for $380. Further testing of the substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Western Laboratory confirmed the presence of 27 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Medlin has many prior state convictions and is currently serving state sentences for several felony convictions with sentence satisfaction dates of August 7, 2022, for possession of a controlled substance; February 17, 2024, for possession of a controlled substance; and November 1, 2024, for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. After serving his federal prison sentence, Medlin will be on supervised release for five years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution in Magic ValleyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Luis Leyva Verduzco was sentenced to 82 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court records, beginning in early 2020, law enforcement received information that Verduzco, 32, a Mexican national living in Jerome, was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Magic Valley. Using investigative techniques, officers expanded their investigation. In March 2021, Verduzco was monitored by officers as he traveled to and from a milk house located at a dairy farm in Gooding County. Verduzco was observed entering the milk house for a short period of time, and then he exited and returned to his vehicle. Officers later conducted a search of the milk house and discovered 1,308.61 grams (2.88 pounds) of methamphetamine and 46.64 grams of fentanyl hidden in the drawer of a filing cabinet. The investigation further revealed that Verduzco was in possession of these drugs and attempted to hide them in the milk house before they were discovered by law enforcement. It is expected that Verduzco will be deported to Mexico upon the completion of his sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho State Police, Gooding County Sheriff’s Office, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, Gooding County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
BOISE – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the District of Idaho two cities were awarded funding totaling $750,000.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
Here, in the District of Idaho, the City of Nampa received an award of $250,000, and the City of Twin Falls received an award of $500,000.
“A police department’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving,” said Nampa Police Chief Joe Huff. “This grant will help our department with the resources and support we need. The funding will contribute to expanding community policing efforts in our city. We are just thrilled to receive this competitive grant.”
“I’m elated that the Twin Falls Police Department is a recipient of the 2021 COPS Hiring Grant,” said Twin Falls Police Chief Craig Kingsbury. “This will allow the City of Twin Falls to add four new officers and assist us in continuing with our connection-based and community oriented policing strategies in our growing community.”
“This critical investment will extend far beyond the creation of law enforcement jobs. It will strengthen relationships between officers and our community, improve public safety, and keep law enforcement officers on the beat,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “I want to thank Chiefs Huff and Kingsbury and their officers for their dedication to making our cities safer. Partnerships take time, effort, and resources, and these funds will help expand innovative community policing efforts already in play in Nampa and Twin Falls,” he concluded.
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In fiscal year 2021, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For fiscal year 2022, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
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Federal Jury Convicts Mountain Home Man for Unlawful Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal jury sitting in Boise convicted a Mountain Home man on November 16, 2021 for unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Brandon J. Yates, 38, of Mountain Home, was previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. On March 9, 2021, U.S. Probation officers searched Yates’ house pursuant to a supervision agreement. There, they discovered a firearm hidden in the attic of Yates’ garage. After discovering the firearm, the probation officers determined that Yates possessed the firearm and that he had hidden it in the attic to conceal it from law enforcement. Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted in the investigation.
Yates’ sentencing has yet to be scheduled. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, which led to charges.
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Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on May 30, 2021, law enforcement and emergency medical services responded to a single vehicle crash in Nampa. Carlos Ballesteros, 28, of Nampa, was a passenger in the crashed vehicle. A Canyon County paramedic providing medical assistance on scene located a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol in Ballesteros’ waistband. At the time of the crash, Ballesteros had previously been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho in 2020 and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. At the time he possessed the firearm, Ballesteros was still on supervised release for his 2020 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Ballesteros is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine Ballesteros’ sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Nampa Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction. “The contributions of these agencies to this multi-jurisdictional task for help make Idaho one of the safest states in the country. I heartily thank them for their spirit of collaborative public service,” said Gonzalez.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Ontario Man Sentenced to over Six Years in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – An Ontario, Oregon man was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
According to court records, in August and September 2019, Oliver "Juice" Yardley, 46, of Ontario, and his wife, Ashley Cates Yardley, 33, on four occasions, sold methamphetamine to another person in a parking lot in Fruitland, Idaho. In total, the amount of methamphetamine they sold was approximately six ounces. During the last sale, Yardley and Cates sold three ounces of methamphetamine and two firearms to the other person. Yardley was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony criminal convictions.
Yardley’s criminal history spans more than two decades and includes several convictions for controlled substance offenses and carrying concealed weapons. Yardley has also been documented as a member of the Vagos Motorcycle Club.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Yardley to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. For her role in the offense, Cates was sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on July 31, 2021 by U.S. District Judge David C. Nye.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and credited the efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction, Bureau of Probation and Parole.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Idaho Falls Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to court records, on October 16, 2020, police officers with the Idaho Falls Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a car in downtown Idaho Falls. The car was driven by Shawn Thomas Cortez, 35, of Idaho Falls. After identifying Cortez, law enforcement officers learned that Cortez had an active felony warrant and that Cortez was in possession of a firearm. Law enforcement officers recovered a 9mm Sig Saur pistol from Cortez’s waistband. Cortez had previously been convicted of a felony offense and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 186 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 40 have been indicted on prohibited gun possession charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,586 months (approximately 632 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.4 months (4.45 years). Defendants indicted for prohibited gun possession offenses serve, on average, approximately 41 months (3.42 years) in federal prison.
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Kuna Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Kuna man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court records, in January 2020, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began investigating several CyberTips from Microsoft. A CyberTip is a report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC gathers leads and tips regarding suspected online crimes against children and forwards them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. According to the CyberTips, on March 2 and March 3, 2019, child pornography was uploaded to a Microsoft One Drive account. The IP address used to upload the files of child pornography to the account was tied to the residence of Donald Jordan, 54, of Kuna.
ICAC obtained a federal search warrant for the contents of the Microsoft One Drive account and located items establishing Jordan was the owner of the account, along with hundreds of files of child pornography, including files depicting prepubescent children, infants, and toddlers engaged in sexual acts. On September 22, 2020, ICAC executed a federal search warrant at Jordan’s residence in Kuna to search for evidence of the possession of child pornography. ICAC seized several electronic devices belonging to Jordan and located numerous files of child pornography on the devices. Jordan admitted to viewing child pornography and to distributing files of child pornography to other individuals in exchange for other pornographic files.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Jordan to forfeit the electronic devices that were used to commit the offense and to pay $3,000 in restitution to a victim in the images he possessed. As a result of the conviction, Jordan will be required to register as a sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho ICAC Task Force and the Ada County Sheriff's Office, which led to charges. “To create a CyberTip with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), go to www.missingkids.com, and click ‘MAKE A CYBERTIPLINE REPORT.’ Include all pertinent details regarding the situation (e.g., usernames, dates, screenshots, etc.). Help us rescue a child,” Gonzalez said.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Fort Hall Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Fort Hall man was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender.
According to court records, Montey Curtis Moon, 46, of Fort Hall, admitted that he was convicted of rape in Bannock County, in 1996. As result of his conviction, he had to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
On multiple occasions in 2018, Moon was informed of his requirement to register or update his sex offender registration while living on the Fort Hall Reservation. After those warnings, Moon lived on the Fort Hall Reservation from August 21, 2020, until October 8, 2020. While living there, Moon did not register with the Idaho Sex Offender Registry. When interviewed, Moon admitted he knew he had to register and did not.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Fort Hall Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges. “SORNA is a crucial public safety measure,” said Gonzalez. “These regulations further the Department’s goal of ensuring that convicted sex offenders are accounted for under the law. The regulations enhance the enforcement of registration and notification across the country and ensure that information about sex offenders in the community is available to law enforcement and the public,” he concluded.
Montey Curtis Moon was prosecuted for a violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) passed by Congress in 2006. The Act requires sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction where they reside. Violations of SORNA can be prosecuted in federal court.
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Federal Jury Convicts Idaho Falls Man for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A federal jury sitting in Pocatello convicted an Idaho Falls man of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and deported alien found in the United States.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on September 26, 2017, Jose Luis Cruz-Delgado, 29, of Idaho Falls, and a co-conspirator were stopped in San Bernardino, California, with 28 pounds of methamphetamine. Cruz-Delgado admitted the methamphetamine was his. He also admitted he was returning to Idaho Falls. He was later released on bond following his California arrest.
Cruz-Delgado subsequently continued trafficking methamphetamine to Idaho from California up until his arrest in Idaho in August 2018. One co-conspirator testified that he received and later distributed approximately 30 to 40 pounds of methamphetamine from Cruz-Delgado during the course of the conspiracy. When arrested in Idaho, Cruz-Delgado admitted to being previously deported from the United States.
Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine are punishable by ten years to life in federal prison. The charge of deported alien found in the United States is punishable by up to twenty years in federal prison. The methamphetamine charges are also punishable by a fine of up to ten million dollars and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Sentencing is set for February 15, 2022, before Senior U.S. District Judge Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Idaho State Police, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department which led to charges. “This conviction is the result of tremendous cooperation and teamwork between all levels of law enforcement in Idaho and San Bernardino," said Gonzalez. "I'm incredibly proud of these dedicate attorneys and staff in our office and their partner federal agents and state detectives, who work tirelessly together to defeat the scourge of methamphetamine in Idaho."
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - A Nampa man pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Edward Lee Noll, 54, of Nampa, sold another person methamphetamine on two different occasions. On October 19, 2020, Noll sold 63.4 grams of methamphetamine and on October 29, 2020, he sold 95.7 grams of methamphetamine.
Noll is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14, 2022 and faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, a ten million dollar fine, and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine Noll’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez applauded the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the City County Narcotics Unit consisting of officers from the Caldwell Police Department and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Third Illinois Defendant Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Bloomington, Illinois woman pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
According to court proceedings, Abbi L. Sullivan, 21, of Bloomington, Illinois, traveled to Idaho with at least three co-defendants in May 2020. On May 6, 2020, Sullivan cashed counterfeit checks at two First Interstate Bank branches in the Treasure Valley. The counterfeit checks had the logo and business information for the company accountholder along with a forgery of the account owner’s signature. The checks were payable to Sullivan. Sullivan presented her Illinois identification card to cash the counterfeit checks. Sullivan knowingly presented the counterfeit checks and provided false information to the bank, intending to defraud the financial institution. In addition to the checks in Idaho, Sullivan traveled with other named and unnamed co-conspirators to other states to cash counterfeit checks.
Sullivan is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2022. Co-defendants Jakara Edwards, 23, and Tatyana Love, 21, both of Chicago, pleaded guilty on October 19, 2021 to bank fraud. Edwards and Love are scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2022.
All three defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ada County Sheriff's Office, Boise Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Ellisville Police Department, Fort Atkinson Police Department, Gahanna Police Department, Johnson Creek Police Department, Montgomery Township Police Department, Normal Police Department, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Redwood City Police Department, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Stockton Police Department, Waltham Police Department, and Wellesley Police Department, which led to charges.
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Fort Hall Man Sentenced to over 27 Years for MurderRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Fort Hall man was sentenced to 327 months in federal prison for the second degree murder of Austin Pevo.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2018, Austin Pevo, 23, was dropped off by his mother at a residence on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation for work cutting firewood. Testimony at trial showed that Justin Beasley, 27, of Fort Hall, and others were at the residence at that time. Beasley and Pevo had an argument and Beasley stabbed Pevo twice in the chest with a knife. Beasley and two other men took Pevo’s body to an isolated area in Arbon Valley.
Pevo’s family reported him missing and the Fort Hall Police Department investigated but was unable to locate any information on Pevo’s whereabouts.
A witness to the events of February 3, 2018, came forward to the Fort Hall Police in August 2019, and reported that Pevo had died on that date and three men who had been at the house removed his body. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at the residence and found evidence that Pevo had died there. One of the men who helped hide the body admitted to his involvement and took FBI agents to the location of Pevo’s remains in Arbon Valley. The agents recovered Pevo’s remains along with clothing and other personal items. DNA testing showed that the remains were those of Pevo.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Beasley to serve an additional five years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence. Beasley was convicted following a jury trial which concluded on August 5, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez said, “Prosecuting violent crimes in Indian Country is a priority for my office, and I hope this sentence brings some amount of closure and justice to the victim’s family.” He also praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department for their exemplary and thorough investigation of this crime. “Their complementary partnership resulted in the successful prosecution and sentencing of Beasley for this senseless murder. This office and our law enforcement partners are committed to prosecuting aggressively cases involving violent acts committed against Native Americans residing on reservation lands within Idaho,” Mr. Gonzalez added.
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