District of Idaho
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Rockland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Norman Hyrum Turnbeaugh, 62, of Rockland, Idaho, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. Turnbeaugh was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pocatello on March 27, 2018.
According to court records, investigators from Power County Sheriff’s Office, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Rexburg Police Department, and other cooperating agencies served a search warrant on Turnbeaugh’s home in Rockland on July 11, 2017. During the search of Turnbeaugh’s garage, investigators found approximately 356 grams of methamphetamine, packaged in eleven small bags. Turnbeaugh had stashed the methamphetamine in a barrel of chicken feed. Investigators also found approximately 2.6 pounds of marijuana in Turnbeaugh’s bedroom, as well as guns in the house and garage.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of federal supervised release after incarceration.
Turnbeaugh’s sentencing is set for December 4, 2018 before Chief U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
This case was investigated through the combined efforts of the Power County Sheriff’s Office, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, the Rexburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Power County Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP). The EIP is a collaborative effort among local communities, law enforcement, the State of Idaho, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho. The partners combine efforts to fund and support a Special Assistant United States Attorney, or “SAUSA.” The SAUSA, Bryan Wheat, works with local prosecutors and law enforcement to prosecute serious local crimes in federal court. The Partnership focuses its efforts on regional drug trafficking, gun and gang violence, internet based crimes against children, and other serious crimes with a federal nexus that affect the southeast Idaho region.
"I'm grateful for the agencies and law enforcement officers who have helped out in this case," said Power County Prosecutor Anson Call. “Power County has been well served by the teamwork from our Eastern Idaho Partners. We are excited to continue to be a part of the Partnership's collaborative effort to target serious crime in eastern Idaho, and to make Power County a safer place."
“This case is another great example of the teamwork of the Eastern Idaho Partnership," said U.S. Attorney Bart Davis. “We are very happy to have such a close relationship with our local partners. Efforts like this one help make our communities safer.”
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Justice Department Will Award up to $246 Million in Grants to Improve Public Safety in American Indian and Alaska Native CommunitiesRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis joined the Department of Justice yesterday in announcing more than $113 million in grant awards to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Two tribes in the District of Idaho, the Nez Perce and the Shoshone-Bannock, were awarded grants totaling $1,852,587.
North Idaho’s Nez Perce Tribe will receive a $236,687 Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse grant. East Idaho’s Shoshone-Bannock Tribe will receive a $750,000 Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse grant and an $865,900 Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program grant.
“Providing these grants to our tribes in Idaho reinforces that my office and the Department of Justice are committed to protecting and providing victim services to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bart Davis. “These resources will help strengthen Idaho tribal communities for years to come.”
Nationwide, grants were awarded to 133 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $113 million, just over $53 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women, and more than $24.7 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
In addition, the Department is in the process of allocating up to $133 million in a first-ever set aside program to serve victims of crime in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime by providing funding, programming and technical assistance. Recipients will be announced in the near future.
“With these awards, we are doubling the amount of grant funding devoted to public safety programs and serving victims of crime in Native American communities,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio, who made the announcement during his remarks at the 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “There is an unacceptable level of violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This increase in resources, together with our aggressive investigation and prosecution of crimes, shows how seriously Attorney General Sessions and the entire Department of Justice take these issues. We are committed to reducing violent crime and improving public safety.”
The Four Corners Conference is facilitated annually by U.S. Attorneys from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah to provide a forum for discussion of justice-related topics with a large number of populous and diverse tribal nations located in the region.
CTAS awards cover nine purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs. CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs.
Yesterday's announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
A listing of yesterday’s announced CTAS awards is available at: www.justice.gov/tribal/page/file/1095161/download.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Kristopher Douglas McKay, 36, of Boise, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to 108 months in prison followed by five years supervised release, for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. McKay pleaded guilty on May 2, 2018.
According to court records, in March 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified McKay as the user of a yahoo e-mail account that had accessed a cloud storage account containing images of child pornography. Agents obtained a search warrant for the account and discovered evidence that McKay traded images of child pornography via e-mail with other individuals, including images depicting infant and toddler-age children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and images depicting sadistic and masochistic conduct. The e-mail account contained approximately 3,472 still images and 271 videos depicting child pornography.
In September 2017, FBI agents served a search warrant at McKay’s residence in Boise. They seized and searched McKay’s laptop computer, where they discovered approximately 2,941 images and 1,113 videos depicting child pornography. McKay admitted to agents that he used his laptop computer to access his e-mail account and traded images of child pornography with other individuals. As part of the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye also ordered McKay to forfeit his laptop computer.
This case was investigated by the FBI, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Two Pocatello Men Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Jamey Lynn Doshier, 34, of Pocatello, was sentenced last Wednesday to 42 months in prison for the theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. His co-defendant, Anthony Robert Mariani, 42, also of Pocatello, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for possessing a stolen firearm. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye ordered that upon completion of each of their sentences, Doshier and Mariani serve an additional three years of supervised release. A federal grand jury indicted Doshier and Mariani on October 24, 2017.
According to court records, on June 16, 2017, Doshier and a juvenile male broke into an auctioneering business located in Pocatello and stole two firearms. The auctioneering business is a federal firearms licensee who is permitted to import, manufacture or deal in firearms. Under cover of darkness, Doshier and the juvenile male stole a hunting rifle and an AK-47 rifle. After stealing the firearms, Doshier transferred them to his co-defendant, Mariani, for further resale. Mariani sold the AK-47, but was found in possession of the hunting rifle. A successful investigation led to the recovery of both firearms and prosecution Doshier and Mariani.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pocatello Police Department.
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Idaho Residents Present During Shooting at Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival Are Eligible for Victim ServicesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Bart M. Davis, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, is hoping to reach Idahoans, who were present during the mass shooting at last year’s Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, as they may be eligible for victim assistance through the Nevada Victims of Crime program, even if they are not Nevada residents. The last day to submit an application for the Nevada Victims of Crime program is October 1, 2018, which is the one-year deadline from the date of the incident.
Funds from the Nevada Victims of Crime program may help reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the shooting, such as medical bills or counseling co-pays not covered by insurance. Even if victims do not have eligible expenses right now, they are urged to apply for the program before the application due date so any future expenses can be considered for coverage. Mental health experts say it is not uncommon for survivors of mass violence and trauma to seek counseling months or years after an incident occurred.
Applications for compensation from the Nevada Victims of Crime Program are on the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center’s website at VegasStrongRC.org. Caring staff at the center is available to answer questions about the Nevada Victims of Crime Program, and they can assist anyone who needs help completing an application.
Every state has a Victims of Crime program affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice. Funding for the program comes from court-ordered fines and fees and helps victims of violent crimes pay for expenses related to the crime.
The Vegas Strong Resiliency Center opened on October 23, 2017, to provide free resources and support to anyone affected by the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting including survivors, family members of victims, responders and those who witnessed the incident or tried to assist victims. Since the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center opened, it has served more than 6,800 people. Services include victim advocacy and support, legal consultations for civil legal matters, grief counseling and spiritual care referrals, and technical assistance accessing online resources including FBI Victim Assistance Services for claiming personal items left behind at the Route 91 concert venue.
The Vegas Strong Resiliency Center can be reached by phone at (702) 455-2433 (AIDE) or toll-free at (833) 299-2433, and by email at: [email protected]. The center also has a Facebook page at Facebook.com/VegasStrongResiliencyCenter.
Nevada’s Clark County Television produced a video posted on YouTube that walks viewers through the application process: youtube.com/watch?v=EJv9zadqgGg.
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Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force and Eastern Idaho Partnership Announce Federal Prosecutions from Minidoka and Cassia CountiesRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – United States Attorney Bart M. Davis, Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr, and Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward have announced that in the last year, fourteen individuals from Minidoka and Cassia Counties have been charged in federal court with drug trafficking and firearm crimes. The criminal prosecutions are a result of collaborative efforts between the two sheriffs’ offices, prosecutors from Minidoka and Cassia County, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Eastern Idaho Partnership.
Under the direction of the two sheriffs, the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force has worked closely with federal investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to investigate federal drug trafficking and firearm cases. The cases were presented to a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) employed by the Eastern Idaho Partnership, and charged federally.
Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr said, “We’ve made a concerted effort to work together with our prosecutors, nearby agencies, and the Eastern Idaho Partnership to crack down on drug trafficking and firearms in Minidoka and Cassia Counties. These fourteen prosecutions represent a lot of hard work, teamwork, and commitment from all involved.”
According to documents filed in federal court, the following fourteen individuals have been charged federally through the efforts:
- Emmanuel Garza, Adolfo Mata Lopez, and Gabriela Martinez-Esteban were charged in November 2017 and January 2018 with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, they face up to 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years supervised release.
- Crystal Ruiz was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ruiz faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years supervised release.
- Wifredo Quezada-Hernandez, David Ochoa-Navarro, Miguel Cruz-Tarin, and Sylvia Luna-Ochoa were charged jointly with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A ten-count superseding indictment filed in federal court in May charged Quezada-Hernandez with five counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Ochoa-Navarro, Cruz-Tarin, and Luna-Ochoa are each charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, each faces terms of at least five years imprisonment. Ochoa-Navarro and Cruz-Tarin face up to forty years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years supervised release. Quezada-Hernandez and Luna-Ochoa face up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years supervised release.
- Stephen Gary Graf and Jose Antonio Vazquez were charged jointly with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in April. Both are also charged independently in the indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, each faces up to forty years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years supervised release.
- Robert Mark Fisk, Benito Nevarez Molina, and Jesus A. Diaz Rubio were jointly charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in May. If convicted, each faces up to forty years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years supervised release.
- Alan Ray Mooso was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in August. According to the indictment in his case, Mooso possessed a firearm after being convicted of a felony. If convicted, Mooso faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release.
“We are taking drug and firearm crime very seriously in the Mini-Cassia area,” said Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward. “We will continue to work hard with those in the Eastern Idaho Partnership to help Minidoka and Cassia counties to be the safe places they are.”
The Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force is a joint group of deputy-detectives from the Minidoka County and Cassia County Sheriff’s offices. The task force focuses its efforts at interdicting drug, firearm, and other criminal activity in the area.
The eastern Idaho SAUSA program is sponsored by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP), a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho. The Partnership provides approximately 30 percent of the SAUSA’s salary and benefits; the State of Idaho, through the Idaho Department of Correction, contributes the remaining 70 percent.
The current SAUSA, Bryan Wheat, works out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Pocatello branch and serves agencies and cities involved in the Partnership. The Partnership’s goal is to federally prosecute serious drug trafficking, firearm, and violent crime in eastern Idaho, focusing on persistent offenders. Individuals who are prosecuted in federal court and ordered to serve federal prison sentences serve their sentences in federal prisons, rather than in Idaho-funded prisons and jails. Federal sentences are served out of state, which helps to disrupt criminal networks. Additionally, prosecuting offenders in federal court allows law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue longer sentences through the federal sentencing structure.
Sheriff Snarr also said, “By working together, we multiply our efforts. We are very happy with the hard work and accomplishments of everyone involved in this joint effort. We are saving Idaho taxpayer money, while holding serious offenders accountable. We believe our citizens have and will continue to see real benefits to our community from this.”
"The Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney's Office diligently serves with the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force and the eastern Idaho SAUSA program in aggressively investigating and prosecuting individuals for illegal drug trafficking, delivery, and possession and unlawful possession of firearms in Cassia County,” said Cassia County Prosecutor Abenroth. “The support provided by the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho is integral to the successful investigation and prosecution of these individuals within our county and individual communities in the past year."
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Fort Hall Man Sentenced to Prison for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Jonathan Jacob Ish, 37, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Ish to serve three years of supervised release, after his release from federal prison. Ish pleaded guilty to the charge on May 21, 2018.
According to court records, the female victim of the assault told police that in September 2016, she and Ish were at their residence on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation when he became angry and began punching and kicking her. At one point Ish stood over her and kicked her in the head and broke her jaw. She was bleeding severely and was later examined at the hospital where she had surgery for a broken mandible (lower jaw), a nasal fracture and a fracture of the eye socket.
This case was investigated by the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Blackfoot Man Sentenced to 105 Months in Prison for Sage Hill Casino RobberyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Dillon McCandless, 28, of Blackfoot, was sentenced yesterday to 105 months in prison for the July 2017 robbery of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ Sage Hill Casino, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered that McCandless serve five years of supervised release after his release from federal prison. On June 19, 2018, McCandless pleaded guilty to the robbery charge and to a charge of the use of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime.
According to court records, on July 23, 2017, at approximately 2:25 a.m., a black GMC truck arrived at the Sage Hill Casino on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. The truck parked near the front entrance of the casino and a man, later identified as McCandless, stepped out of the truck. He was carrying a shotgun and a plastic bag. He went inside the casino, approached the employee at the teller window, and demanded that the teller place cash in the bag. McCandless pumped the shotgun, ejecting a shell onto the floor. The employee placed cash in the bag and McCandless departed the casino in his truck. He went northbound on Highway 91 and then southbound on Interstate 15.
A video of the robbery depicting a unique tattoo on the robbers hand helped investigators identify McCandless as the perpetrator. Information about the robbery, including the hand tattoo, was released to the news media and police then began receiving tips about the identity of the robber. A Bingham County deputy sheriff identified the robber as McCandless, as did others.
McCandless was stopped in his pickup on Interstate 15 at about 9:00 p.m. that evening by police and was taken into custody. His truck contained a shotgun with a sawed-off barrel and cash with markings consistent with money from the Sage Hill casino. McCandless was interviewed, waived his rights and admitted robbing the casino.
This case was investigated by Fort Hall Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Bingham County Sheriff’s Office; Bannock County Sheriff’s Office; Idaho State Police and Pocatello Police Department.
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Eastern Idaho Partnership Announces July 2018 Special AUSA Program ReportRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – United States Attorney Bart M. Davis and Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Cleve B. Colson have announced that from January 2016 through July 13, 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted an additional 105 offenders for firearm, illegal alien, child porn, violent crime, and drug-related crimes committed in eastern Idaho through the Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) program.
Thus far, 65 of the 105 charged have been convicted and received federal sentences for a total of 3,882 months, averaging 5 years per criminal sentence. The 105 cases indicted were referred from 14 cities and 10 counties. It is estimated that the charges represent over $2.4 million in drugs seized and 73 illegally possessed firearms.
Presently, the average cost of incarceration per Idaho prison inmate per year is approximately $25,400, or $2,117 per month. Thus, the 3,882 months of federal sentences represents over $8.2 million in cost avoidance to the Idaho Department of Correction if the Idaho Department of Correction were to bear the costs.
Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Herzog said, “The Partnership exemplifies what good things can happen when people work together toward the common goal of improving community safety.”
Power County Commissioner Bill Lasley said, “It’s amazing what materializes when our cities, counties, state and federal agencies join together in a collaborative unified front; maximizing resources against criminal activities across jurisdictional lines.”
“The collaborative effort of the partners has been instrumental to community safety and the dismantling of criminal networks throughout Eastern Idaho,” said Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Cleve Colson.
“The Idaho Department of Correction is a proud partner of the Eastern Idaho Partnership. The SAUSA program has had amazing success improving the community safety in Eastern Idaho,” said Idaho Department of Correction Director Henry Atencio.
The eastern Idaho SAUSA program is sponsored by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP), a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho. The EIP provides approximately 30 percent of the SAUSA’s salary and benefits; the State of Idaho through the Idaho Department of Correction contributes the remaining 70 percent. The project allows law enforcement to utilize federal sentences to see that persistent and violent criminals receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts. Federal sentences are served out of-of-state, helping to disrupt criminal networks.
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Sixteen Treasure Valley Residents Indicted in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOISE – A multi-faceted, large-scale Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation has resulted in the federal indictment of sixteen defendants on drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering and counterfeit goods trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. The indictments were issued last week by a federal grand jury sitting in Boise.
The grand jury returned a thirty-four count indictment charging Pavel Babichenko, Gennady Babitchenko, Piotr Babichenko, Timofey Babichenko, Kristina Babichenko, Natalya Babichenko, David Bibikov, Anna Iyerusalimets, Mikhail Iyerusalimets and Artur Pupko with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit trademarked goods and money laundering conspiracy, all in connection with the online sale of counterfeit cellphones and accessories.
According to the indictment, the ten defendants operated a multi-million dollar scheme wherein they sold counterfeit cellphones and cellphone accessories on Amazon.com and eBay.com that the defendants misrepresented as new and genuine Apple and Samsung products. The indictment alleges that these counterfeit cellphones and cellphone accessories were obtained in bulk from manufacturers in Hong Kong, repackaged in the Treasure Valley, and then individually resold to consumers online as genuine and new. The indictment also alleges the defendants laundered millions of dollars in proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering, wire fraud, and mail fraud counts. They face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $5,000,000 fine on the counterfeit trademark goods trafficking counts. Reference is made to the indictment and court record for further information. Additionally, anyone who believes they may be a victim may visit the Department of Justice’s large case website for more information: www.justice.gov/largecases.
In a separate series of cases stemming from the same OCDETF investigation, the grand jury returned six indictments charging six persons with violations of the Controlled Substances Act:
- Tetyana Vasilevna Andriychuk, distributing heroin;
- Jeffrey Scott Davis, distributing methamphetamine;
- Pavel Matlashevsky, two counts of distributing heroin;
- Alexandr Stricharskiy, three counts of distributing methamphetamine;
- Sergey Zagorodny, distributing cocaine and sale of a firearm to a prohibited person; and,
- Vadim N. Dmitruk, possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Drug distribution charges carry mandatory minimum prison sentences depending on the amount and type of drugs distributed. Maximum prison sentences range from up to 20 years all the way to life. The OCDETF investigation also included several other persons who were charged earlier with violations of the Controlled Substances Act:
- James Peirsol pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and was sentenced to 200 months in prison on October 19, 2017;
- Blake Anthony Vanhoff pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and was sentenced to 66 months in prison on November 14, 2017;
- David Lon Rose pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and was sentenced to 24 months in prison December 7, 2017; and,
- David Duane Gudgel pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 210 months in prison on May 2, 2018.
"Combatting transnational organized crime is one of the FBI's top priorities, and these cases demonstrate that the FBI remains committed to holding accountable all those who attempt to defraud U.S. citizens and U.S. companies, distribute illegal drugs, or conduct illegal activity simply to enrich themselves,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Barnhart. "From the arrests, to the millions of dollars in assets forfeited, the law enforcement agencies who participated in this investigation were able to deliver a decisive blow to these criminal enterprises because of the excellent, collaborative, working relationships that exist here in Idaho, and our strong international partnerships with law enforcement around the world. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly over the last four years to secure these indictments and arrests."
“Counterfeit products pose serious safety risks as they are often unregulated during manufacturing,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle. “This investigation represents HSIs commitment to protecting the public from criminals who are profiting to the detriment of their consumers.”
“The priority of the United States Postal Inspection Service is to investigate any crimes in which the U.S. Mail is utilized even if the scheme originally started over the phone or through the internet,” said United States Postal Inspection Service, Inspector in Charge Tony Galetti. “Our mission is to protect customers, business partners, and the Postal Service from illicit use of the mail. We will continue efforts to ensure the integrity and security of the United States Postal System and to hold accountable those who unlawfully take advantage of the Postal System. We would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho for their incredible prosecutorial support throughout the course of this investigation. We also want to thank our federal law enforcement partners as well as our state and local partners for their dedication and collaborative efforts. The federal government is dedicated to dismantling sophisticated mail fraud schemes and the importation of counterfeit goods.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to the comprehensive investigation and prosecution of criminal activity that is harmful to our country, communities, and members of our society, all of whom we are sworn to protect,” said U.S. Attorney Bart Davis. “The dedicated women and men of my office have always, and will always, seek to hold accountable those who engage in fraud and illegal drug trafficking. These prosecutions demonstrate our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to profit at the expense of others, be it by fraudulent conduct or selling harmful, illegal drugs to others. In addition, the type of fraud involved here hurts not only the thousands of unsuspecting consumers who purchased counterfeit goods, but also the company – the trademark holders. Counterfeited products degrade the goodwill of the trademark holders, deceive consumers, and pose a serious safety risk to the community.”
These indictments are the result of a joint investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force comprised of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service and United States Marshals Service. These federal agencies were joined in the investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, National Insurance Crime Bureau, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Hong Kong Police Force, Boise Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Nampa Police Department and the Idaho State Police.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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California Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearms in Twin FallsRead the Press Release
BOISE – On Wednesday, Eric Courtney Hunter, 39, of Victorville, California, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Hunter was indicted by a grand jury on February 15, 2017. The case went to trial on January 31, 2018, and ended with the jury finding Hunter guilty of all counts on February 5, 2018.
According to evidence presented at trial, on December 6, 2016, Twin Falls police officers responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired at a Twin Falls residence. Officers found evidence that a gun had been fired, including a hole in the window and shotgun shells on the ground. Witnesses at trial confirmed it was Hunter who fired the shotgun. A month later on January 6, 2017, a woman reported to Twin Falls police that Hunter stole her BMW and $27,000. When police found the BMW, Hunter was driving the vehicle and had $27,100 in his pocket. During a search of the car, police found the shotgun in the backseat and ammunition in Hunter’s suitcase. Hunter was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was convicted of felony crimes, including witness intimidation in Twin Falls County, Idaho on May 29, 2015.
Additional information presented at the sentencing hearing established that Hunter had eight prior felony convictions, three of which were violent felonies resulting in Hunter’s classification as an armed career criminal. Because of his status as an armed career criminal, Hunter was required to serve a minimum sentence of fifteen years. After considering everything, Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Hunter to 262 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Twin Falls Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, and in coordination with the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Peter Albert Rodriguez, 28, of Nampa, was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye ordered that upon completion of that sentence, Rodriguez serve an additional three years of supervised release. A federal grand jury indicted Rodriguez on December 12, 2017.
According to court records, in October 2017, law enforcement agents used a confidential informant to purchase three firearms and marijuana from Rodriguez. Agents later executed a search warrant at Rodriguez’s residence and vehicle. Inside the vehicle, agents located three additional firearms. Rodriguez is a gang member and has a prior conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The indictment was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Nampa Police Department, and the Boise Police Department.
This case is being 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 treasurevalleypartners.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Nampa Man Sentenced for Distribution Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
BOISE – Ryan E. Curtis, 45, of Nampa, was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl resulting in death, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Curtis to 240 months in prison. Lodge also imposed three years of supervised release to be served after Curtis is released from prison.
According to court records, in August 2017, Curtis, a methamphetamine dealer in the Nampa area, began distributing what he called “China White”, a common street name for either pure heroin or a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. According to Curtis, he provided Dominico Stewart a sample of China White, asking that Stewart try the substance while Curtis was present so that Stewart understood how potent the drug was.
Shortly after Stewart ingested the substance, he collapsed. Instead of calling emergency services or seeking help for Stewart, Curtis tried to revive Stewart on his own through several different methods, including injecting Stewart with methamphetamine. Ultimately, Stewart died. Curtis did not notify law enforcement of the death, but attempted to conceal his role in Stewart’s death by dumping the body in an alleyway in Nampa.
The Nampa Police Department discovered Dominico Stewart’s body the following morning. A toxicology report showed that Stewart had a lethal dose of methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system at the time of his death. The coroner ultimately determined that Stewart died of a methamphetamine overdose.
The Nampa Police Department’s investigation into the death lead them not only to Ryan Curtis, but ultimately to a drug trafficking organization that was distributing both methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Treasure Valley. Matt Sedillo, Herman Sedillo, and Vaudencia Hamilton have been arrested and charged in federal court in Idaho for their role in trafficking the drugs that caused Stewart’s death. Their cases are still pending.
This case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada and Canyon County.
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Unlawful Firearms Dealer Sentenced to 40 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOISE - Fabian Gonzalez, 27, of Caldwell, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for unlawful dealing in firearms, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Gonzalez was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
According to court records, during the summer of 2017, Gonzalez sold a government informant eight firearms for a total of $6650. The firearms sold included tactical rifles, a tactical shotgun, pistols, and an unregistered sawed-off shotgun. During the sales, which occurred in various parking lots throughout the Treasure Valley, the informant told Gonzalez that he was prohibited from possessing firearms and that he was buying the guns to give to others. The informant first contacted Gonzalez through a social media website on which Gonzalez was advertising guns for sale.
In December 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Gonzalez for unlawful dealing in firearms. That offense makes it illegal for anyone who is not a licensed firearms dealer to sell firearms as a trade or business with the intent of making a profit through the repeated purchase and sale of firearms. The offense does not apply to persons who sell firearms as a hobby or to enhance a collection. Gonzalez was not a licensed firearms dealer. During the sales to the informant, Gonzalez offered to continue selling guns to the informant so they could make a profit and encouraged the informant to find out what types of guns the informant’s “homies” wanted so he could arrange future gun sales.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”). After every firearms sale with Gonzalez, ATF agents recovered the firearms from the informant. As part of Gonzalez’s prosecution, those firearms were forfeited by the government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Drug Dealer Who Shot at Police Officer SentencedRead the Press Release
BOISE – Arcenio Sosa-Solorio, 27, of California, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge to 147 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the crimes of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and distribution of marijuana, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. His co-defendant, Bonifacio Carlos-Tafolla, 24, also of California, was sentenced to 106 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for the same crimes.
According to court records, both men traveled from California to Idaho to distribute 25 pounds of marijuana to an undercover police officer. On December 2, 2017, Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho, and met with the undercover officer in an empty parking lot. After the undercover officer signaled, other officers attempted to arrest the men. Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio, both armed with handguns, fled from officers. Sosa-Solorio brandished a pistol as he fled. When the undercover officer threw Sosa-Solorio to the ground, Sosa-Solorio fired his handgun, nearly striking the officer. The officer knocked the gun out of Sosa-Solorio’s hands and arrested him. Officers found Carlos-Tafolla nearby. He said that he threw his pistol on the ground. Investigators found his loaded .40 caliber pistol nearby. Officers also found both men had approximately 35 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, the Twin Falls Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and coordinated with the Office of the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney, Grant P. Loebs.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Boise Man Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - Timothy J. Frazier, 35, of Boise, was sentenced yesterday for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Frazier to 93 months in prison. Judge Lodge also ordered that upon completion of that time, Frazier serve an additional three years of supervised release.
According to court records, Frazier, on four separate occasions, distributed quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Officers learned of Frazier’s activities in December of 2016. Between December 2016 and February 2017, officers, during controlled buys, purchased methamphetamine and heroin from Frazier on four occasions. On March 10, 2017, officers arrested Frazier and discovered additional quantities of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department, Idaho State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.
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Illegal Gun Possessor and Drug Dealer SentencedRead the Press Release
BOISE - Zane Dewey Dinger, 33, previously of Caldwell, Idaho, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge to 60 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Judge Lodge also ordered that the defendant forfeit the firearm and ammunition. Previously, on May 3, 2018, the defendant pled guilty to the offense pursuant to a written plea agreement.
According to court records, on December 29, 2017, law enforcement officers were preparing to serve a search warrant at Dinger’s residence in Caldwell. The officers observed Dinger driving and stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation. Dinger initially refused to obey the command by officers to exit the vehicle and show his hands. Dinger repeatedly reached inside the vehicle before placing his hands outside of the vehicle before he eventually complied and exited the vehicle. Officers recovered 23.5 grams of methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, and a Phoenix Arms Company, Model HP22, .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol underneath the driver’s seat. Officers also recovered a box of .22 caliber ammunition from Dinger’s person.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Caldwell Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Thirteen Gang Members and Associates Indicted in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal grand jury indicted thirteen members and associates of the Aryan Knights and Severely Violent Criminals gangs for crimes including drug distribution, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. The charges stem from an investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.
The indicted defendants are Tyler James Campbell, 34 of Boise; Jesse Everett Ford, 43 of Kuna; Brian Cade Humphreys, 45 of Meridian; Jeremy Caine Lyons, 40 of Meridian; Jason Schepers, 33 of Caldwell; Kirstin Decker (aka Kirstin Walz), 39 of Boise; Jennifer Lee Sayer, 34 of Boise; Kimberly Ann Hale, 39 of Meridian; John Alan Redfern, 48 of Boise; Frank Lee Gorrell, 40 of Boise; Angela Marie Sheldon (aka Angela Marie Junkert), 43 of Boise; Keith Anthony Murphy, 28 of Boise; and Cameron James Ball, 31 of Boise. All were indicted on July 10, 2018.
Of the thirteen individuals indicted, eleven were indicted for drug charges including thirteen counts of distribution of methamphetamine and three counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Two individuals were indicted for firearms charges including three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Campbell, Ford, Sayer, Hale, Gorrell, and Ball are currently in custody at the Ada County Jail. Lyons is currently in custody at the Kootenai County Jail. Decker and Murphy are currently at the Idaho Department of Correction. Three of the remaining four defendants were arrested last night and this morning. Redfern remains at large.
Federal drug trafficking charges are generally punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. Where the defendants are charged with distributing more than five grams of pure methamphetamine, or conspiring to do the same, they face a minimum term of five years and up to forty years in prison, a fine up to $5 million, and at least four years supervised release. Where the defendants are charged with distributing more than fifty grams of pure methamphetamine, or conspiring to do the same, they face a minimum term of ten years and up to life in prison, a fine up to $10 million, and at least five years supervised release.
The charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The indictments are the result of an investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force. The Task Force was created approximately twelve years ago and is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Department of Homeland Security; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and the Idaho Department of Correction. The Task Force conducts complex long-term investigations of criminal gangs.
The charges are being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office 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 treasurevalleypartners.org.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Tristan David Swim, 22, of Caldwell, was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison followed three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A federal grand jury indicted Swim on January 9, 2018. Swim was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
According to court records, in November 2017, law enforcement attempted to arrest Swim on an unrelated warrant in Canyon County. Swim fled on foot and was caught by police after a short pursuit. Officers located a semi-automatic pistol in the waistband of Swim’s pants. Swim had a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance. He was prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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 treasurevalleypartners.org.
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U.S. Attorney Davis Announces New Leadership Roles within OfficeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Nicholas J. Woychick is now the District of Idaho’s Civil Chief, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. Previously, AUSA Syrena C. Hargrove served dual roles, as Civil Chief and Appellate Coordinator. She has now assumed the role of Appellate Chief. U.S. Attorney Davis also announced AUSA Joanne P. Rodriguez will serve as an additional Senior Litigation Counsel for the office, joining current Senior Litigation Counsel Raymond E. Patricco who has filled this role since July 2014.
Mr. Woychick has been an AUSA since April 1995. He has served in several roles, including Civil Chief, Senior Litigation Counsel, and Ethics Advisor. He has also been an active civil litigator throughout his tenure with the office, and will continue to litigate cases in addition to filling the role of Civil Chief.
Ms. Hargrove has been an AUSA since March 2008. She served as Appellate Coordinator since 2008 and Civil Chief and Appellate Coordinator since 2010. In her new role, she will expand her work on appeals within the office and will remain part of the management team.
Ms. Rodriguez has been an AUSA since May 1983. A litigator with extensive criminal and civil experience, she has acted as an informal mentor for less experienced AUSAs for years. She will continue her mentoring, in a more formal capacity, as Senior Litigation Counsel. She will also continue to litigate civil cases and will serve on the management team.
“I came into office to find that I have an outstanding staff, including Nick, Syrena, and Joanne,” said U.S. Attorney Davis. “In light of the office’s growth and increasing workload, I am pleased that I am able to have a Civil Chief, Appellate Chief, and additional Senior Litigation Counsel and I am doubly pleased that Nick, Syrena, and Joanne, respectively, have assumed those roles. I look forward to working alongside of them and with the entire management team, going forward.”
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Nampa Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Raul Efrain Lopez Jr., 36, of Nampa, was sentenced yesterday to 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Lopez was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise. A federal grand jury indicted Lopez on January 9, 2018.
According to court records, in November 2017, law enforcement stopped Lopez while he was driving in Nampa, Idaho, and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. Officers could see firearms in the backseat of the car and subsequently located a shotgun, three rifles, a handgun, ammunition, and magazines. Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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DBSI Defendants Detained Pending Prison DesignationRead the Press Release
BOISE - After a hearing before her this morning, United States Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale ordered Defendants Douglas L. Swenson, Mark A. Ellison, Jeremy S. Swenson, and David D. Swenson – former executives of Diversified Business Services and Investments, Inc. (“DBSI”) of Meridian, Idaho – immediately detained pending designation by the Bureau of Prisons to federal correctional facilities. Judge Dale held that because the Defendants had exhausted their appellate rights, the Bail Reform Act no longer applied, and the interests of justice would no longer be served by their continued release.
On April 14, 2014, after a 45-day trial before Chief United States District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, the jury found Defendants Douglas L. Swenson, Mark A. Ellison, Jeremy S. Swenson, and David D. Swenson guilty of 44 counts of securities fraud. The jury further found Defendant Douglas L. Swenson guilty of 34 counts of wire fraud.
In August of 2014, Judge Winmill sentenced Defendants Douglas L. Swenson to 240 months in prison and to pay $180,632,025 in restitution; Mark A. Ellison to 60 months in prison and to pay $32,158,501 in restitution; Jeremy S. Swenson to 36 months in prison and to pay $32,158,501 in restitution; and David D. Swenson to 36 months in prison and to pay $32,158,501 in restitution. By loss amount, the DBSI fraud was the largest in the history of the District of Idaho.
By orders in November and December of 2014, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the Defendants to remain released from prison pending their appeal. On June 25, 2018, the United States Supreme Court denied Defendants’ petition for writ of certiorari, ending their appeal.
Regarding today’s hearing, United States Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis stated, “We are gratified by Judge Dale’s decision to immediately detain the DBSI Defendants, pending their designation to the Bureau of Prisons facilities that will house them for the terms of their incarceration. After four years of freedom and pursuit of their appeal all the way to the United States Supreme Court, that appeal is now over and there was no basis in law for the DBSI Defendants to remain released. We hope that the incarceration of the DBSI Defendants provides the victims of their crimes some degree of closure, and that restitution payments by the Defendants to the victims may now commence. I would like to thank the United States Probation Office for their work over the last four years in supervising the Defendants while they were released pending appeal, and the committed law enforcement agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service for their tireless work on this case.”
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U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Urges Public to Report Jury Duty Phone ScamsRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis is alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. Marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. U.S. Attorney Davis is urging people to report the calls their local FBI office (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us), and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.
During these calls, scammers attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty or other offenses. They then tell victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a prepaid debit card such as a Green Dot card or gift card and read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine.
Scammers use many tactics to sound credible. They sometimes provide information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials and federal judges, and courthouse addresses. They may also spoof their phone numbers to appear on caller ID as if they are calling from the court or a government agency.
If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI office and to the FTC.
Things to remember:
- U.S. Marshals will never ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers for any purpose.
- Don’t divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
- Report scam phone calls to your local FBI office and to the FTC.
- You can remain anonymous when you report.
- Authenticate the call by calling the clerk of the court’s office of the U.S. District Court in your area and verify the court order given by the caller.
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Oklahoma Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Six Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Camron D. Brown, 21, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced on Wednesday to 22 years in federal prison for six counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on May 9, 2017. He plead guilty to the offenses on March 13, 2018. He was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the Federal Courthouse in Boise.
According to court records, in early 2017, Brown robbed six different businesses using a gun, holding a total of ten people at gunpoint, and stealing in all almost $7,000. Specifically, Brown robbed the following businesses on the following dates:
- February 20, 2017, Brown robbed the Jackson’s Food Store at 897 S. Cole Road in Boise.
- February 20, 2017, twelve minutes after robbing the Jackson’s Food Store, Brown robbed Elements Massage at 7447 Emerald Street in Boise.
- February 21, 2017, Brown robbed the Human Bean Coffee stand at 2100 Broadway in Boise.
- February 25, 2017, Brown robbed the Game Stop store at 2025 12th Avenue in Nampa.
- March 8, 2017, Brown robbed the Continental Loans suite at 10530 Fairview Avenue in Boise.
- March 13, 2017, Brown robbed the Motel 6 at 2323 Airport Road in Boise.
Brown was arrested after a lengthy investigation. Police eventually interviewed Brown, who provided a false alibi. Police also discovered a social media posting in which Brown bragged about his crimes.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered Brown to pay $6,808.26 in restitution, as well as serve five years of federal supervised release. The supervised release will be served after Brown completes his 22-year sentence.
This case was investigated through the cooperation of the Boise Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Mountain Home Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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- February 20, 2017, Brown robbed the Jackson’s Food Store at 897 S. Cole Road in Boise.
Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Investment FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE - Rick Guyon, a/k/a, Richard Guyon, a/k/a Rick Garrison, a/k/a Mark Thomas, 59, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Pursuant to a written plea agreement filed with the court, Guyon pleaded guilty to count five of the indictment.
According to the plea agreement, from 2015 through 2017, Guyon devised a scheme to defraud individual investors. The scheme involved soliciting $1,956,400 from investors based on false and fraudulent representations about the defendant’s education, employment history, and financial condition, and false and fraudulent representations that the money would be invested in financial markets and that the defendant would not collect any commissions on the investments. Once he obtained the money, he spent it on personal expenses. To cover up what he had done, Guyon provided investors with false and fraudulent monthly account statements showing positive returns on investments.
According to the plea agreement, Guyon’s scheme to defraud investors (i) resulted in an actual loss of between $1,500,000 and $3,500,000; (ii) resulted in a substantial financial hardship to an investor-victim who personally lost approximately $1,281,783; and (iii) involved the defendant acting as an organizer and leader of at least three other participants in the scheme.
Sentencing for Guyon is set for October 9, 2018, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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District of Idaho Participates in National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
BOISE – Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III, announced today the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings. Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests. In addition, HHS announced today that from July 2017 to the present, it has excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes 587 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis announced the District of Idaho’s participation in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown. In the District of Idaho, three defendants, all of whom are medical professionals, were charged for their roles in three separate fraud schemes involving controlled substances.
Jennifer Fanopoulos, 40, of Meridian, Idaho, is a registered nurse who pleaded not guilty on June 26, 2018, to an indictment charging her with multiple counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud and identity theft. Fanopoulos’ trial is set for August 21, 2018, in front of Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Benjamin Hurley, 37, of Rigby, Idaho, is a pharmacist who pleaded not guilty on June 26, 2018, to an indictment charging him with two counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Hurley’s trial will be set for a later date in front of U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye at the federal courthouse in Boise.
John Steiner, 35, of Lewiston, Idaho, is a pharmacist who is charged in an indictment with multiple counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Steiner is set to appear in court on July 3, 2018, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald E. Bush at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene.
The charge of obtaining controlled substances by fraud is punishable by up to four years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release. The charge of identity theft is punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
These three cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency Tactical Diversion Squad. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General also assisted with the investigation of Fanopoulos.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Boise Man Pleads Guilty to Access with Intent to View Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Jose Luis “Joey” Sanchez, 39, of Boise, pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court to access with intent to view child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
According to court records, between October 2015 and January 2016, agents with Homeland Security Investigations monitored an online video conferencing application used to view and exchange images of child pornography. Agents identified Sanchez as a user from Idaho who had logged into the chatroom and viewed child pornography on seventeen separate occasions.
In May 2016, investigators with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) served a search warrant on Sanchez’s residence in Boise, Idaho, and seized a laptop computer. Sanchez admitted that he had used the video conferencing application and viewed images of child pornography. On Sanchez’s laptop, investigators found evidence that it was used to access the video conferencing application, that Sanchez had communicated with other users about sexual acts with children, and that Sanchez exchanged information on chatrooms where images of child pornography were available.
Sentencing is set for September 25, 2018, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. Access with intent to view child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $5,100 special assessment. As part of his plea, Sanchez also agreed to forfeit the computer and electronic storage devices used in the commission of the charged offense.
This case was investigated by the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office marshal federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Pocatello Man Sentenced for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Michael Simmons, 33, of Pocatello, Idaho, was sentenced Wednesday to 210 months in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance analogue resulting in death, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Simmons was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pocatello on September 13, 2017. He plead guilty to the offense on March 20, 2018.
According court records, on June 17, 2016, Simmons distributed a Schedule I synthetic opioid commonly known as U-47700 to the victim, in Pocatello, Idaho. Simmons admitted that he knew U-47700 was a prohibited substance when distributed for human consumption, and that he knew it would have the same effect on the central nervous system as an illegal substance. Simmons distributed the analogue for the victim’s consumption. The victim consumed the analogue, which caused his death.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Simmons to pay $20,071.52 in restitution, as well as serve five years of federal supervised release. The supervised release will be served after Simmons completes his 210-month sentence.
“Our nation is in the midst of an opioid epidemic and Idaho is not immune,” U.S Attorney Davis said. “Attorney General Sessions and the Department of Justice have rightly made combatting the opioid crisis a priority. This case is an outstanding example of local, state, and federal law enforcement’s efforts to diligently investigate and firmly prosecute those who peddle their poisons in Idaho.”
“Opioids are a leading cause of fatal drug overdoses, and they have had devastating effects on communities across the country,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Seattle, which oversees Idaho. “While our investigative work cannot bring back a lost life, we can ensure that justice is served.”
“We appreciate the hard work the members of the Pocatello Police Department, and the supporting agencies did on this case,” stated Captain Roger Schei of the Pocatello Police Department. “Their efforts assisted in providing answers to local families, and at the same time held Simmons accountable and prevented any further incidents from occurring. The members of the Pocatello Police Department will continue to work in collaboration with the surrounding agencies combating this epidemic.”
This case was investigated through the cooperation of the Pocatello Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, the Eastern Idaho SAUSA Partnership, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Idaho State Police and the Pocatello Fire Department.
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Washington Man Pleads Guilty for Traveling to Idaho to Have Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Harley Lee Howell, III, 35, of Colville, Washington, pleaded guilty yesterday to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual contact with a minor, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Howell was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d’Alene on September 14, 2017.
According to court records, on August 25, 2017, Howell initiated a chat with an undercover federal Homeland Security Investigations agent posing as a fifteen-year old minor. During the chat, Howell stated that he wanted to have sex with the minor. Howell then drove from Washington to Idaho and was arrested outside a Coeur d’Alene hotel room. Officers seized lubricant and condoms from Howell’s person.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations office with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, United States Marshals Service, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and the Washington Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Nez Perce Man Sentenced to over Thirteen Years for Assault with a Short-Barreled ShotgunRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Aleck Walker, 25, of Lapwai, Idaho, was sentenced today to a total of 166 months in federal prison by United States District Court Judge David C. Nye, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Judge Nye sentenced Walker to 46 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and an additional 120 months for using a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of the assault. Judge Nye also ordered Walker to serve 3 years of supervised release after his release from prison.
According to court records, in July 2017, Walker approached a woman parked in a vehicle in an alley. The woman’s daughter and father were also inside the vehicle. Walker asked the woman why she was in the alley and pointed a short-barreled shotgun at her head. The woman and her daughter both feared for their lives. The case was prosecuted in federal court because Walker is a Nez Perce tribal member and the offense occurred within the boundaries of the Nez Perce reservation. At sentencing, Walker apologized to the victims and said he was under the influence of drugs that day.
This case was investigated by the Nez Perce Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Coeur d’Alene Man Sentenced for Lie and Buy Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Alex James Spooner, 23, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for unlawfully acquiring a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Spooner was sentenced by United States District Court Judge David C. Nye. Spooner was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 17, 2018.
According to court records, Spooner committed what is commonly known as a “lie and buy” gun crime. A “lie and buy” gun crime occurs when someone buys a gun on behalf of another person while falsely claiming that it is for themselves. Spooner bought seven firearms for another person living in North Dakota. In doing so, Spooner lied to the gun seller by claiming the guns were for him. Four of the guns that Spooner bought ended up in Chicago. Within eight days of Spooner’s purchase of one of the firearms, it was used in a shooting in Chicago. Another gun bought by Spooner was found 13 days later during a search warrant execution in Chicago.
U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye also sentenced Spooner to 3 years supervised release after he is finished with his prison term. While on supervised release, Spooner must follow certain terms and conditions set by Judge Nye, including searches of his person and property as well as drug testing and treatment requirements. Nye noted that while Spooner’s criminal conduct was serious, he also had a lack of any violent criminal history.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force and the Chicago Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Ryan Andrew Chambers, 37, of Boise, was sentenced Tuesday in United States District Court to 240 months in prison followed by 10 years supervised release for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Chambers pleaded guilty on March 22, 2018.
According to court records, in November 2017, Chambers began an online conversation on a social network application with an FBI agent working in an undercover capacity. During the conversation, Chambers sent the agent two images containing child pornography, and requested the agent send him live explicit videos of children. FBI agents discovered that the IP address used to communicate with the FBI agent was assigned to Chambers’ residence in Boise, Idaho, and that Chambers was on federal supervision for a 2009 conviction for possession of child pornography. After FBI agents provided the information to the United States Probation Office, a federal probation officer visited Chambers’ residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Agents also discovered that Chambers had recently used a social media application to request sexually explicit pictures of a local women and her child.
This case was investigated by the FBI and United States Probation Office, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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On 500th Day of Trump Administration, Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney Davis Announced New Assistant United States Attorney PositionsRead the Press Release
BOISE – On Monday, the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis.
In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating new Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) across the country to assist in priority areas. Among the new positions, the District of Idaho will receive a violent crime prosecutor and a civil enforcement prosecutor.
“Under President Trump's strong leadership, the Department of Justice is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is 'the coin of the realm.' When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime fighting partnership. This addition of new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions represents the largest increase in decades.”
The reduction in violent crime is a primary objective of the Department of Justice. Since he took office last September, U.S. Attorney Davis has spearheaded the reinvigoration of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program designed to reduce gun violence across the state. Davis has already held several meetings with federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement, prosecution and community leaders to build upon an already strong commitment among Idaho’s leaders to making the state safer. With these newest AUSA positions, Davis will seek to bolster federal prosecutions of those who illegally possess or attempt to possess firearms, criminal gang members and violent drug traffickers as well as use data analytics to help find evidence of overprescribing and opioid-related health care fraud.
“The District of Idaho’s new violent crime AUSA and civil enforcement AUSA will both be housed in our Boise office. They will provide our District with further federal prosecution resources aimed at reducing violent crime and attacking the opioid crisis in Idaho,” U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. “Our new civil enforcement AUSA will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force, which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system, and will allow us to expand our efforts to combat health care fraud, including fraud involving medically unnecessary opioid prescriptions. Our new violent crime AUSA will support the Department of Justice’s PSN program, which aims to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.”
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Leeroy Salazar, 39, of Nampa, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A federal grand jury indicted Salazar on December 13, 2017.
According to court records, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Salazar on three occasions. Salazar, a member of the East Side Locos gang in Caldwell, has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for domestic violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. Salazar also has a prior drug offense that enhanced his sentence.
Distribution of methamphetamine is punishable by at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, at least eight years of supervised release, an $8,000,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Two East Idaho Men Plead Guilty in Separate Cases to Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Monday, in separate cases, Buster Locklear, 39, of Blackfoot, and Christopher Holtry, 41, of Pocatello, pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
According to Locklear’s plea agreement, between February and August 2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 16 reports of child pornography being uploaded to internet utilities and websites related to two of Locklear’s e-mail accounts. In some instances, Locklear registered for the online utilities and websites in his own name. When federal agents reviewed Locklear’s Google accounts, they found 239 files containing child pornography, including 13 videos and 226 images.
Federal agents also searched Locklear’s residence and seized a number of electronic devices. Forensic analysis of the devices resulted in the discovery of additional child pornography files. When combined with the Google accounts, agents found a total of approximately 16,311 images and 306 videos of child pornography. Investigators identified 1,603 images and 24 video files from the defendant’s collection as belonging to 166 known series of child pornography images, wherein the victims have been previously identified by law enforcement.
According to Holtry’s plea agreement, Homeland Security Investigations received an investigative lead from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre regarding users of a chatroom called “Tabou5.” In the chatroom, a user shared an image of child pornography and made assertions that the female child depicted in the image was his daughter. The internet protocol addresses associated with the chatroom user’s online activity were registered to Holtry at his Pocatello residence. When law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Holtry’s residence, they seized a number of phones and computers. A forensic search of these devices revealed 134 images and 20 videos of child pornography. In an interview, Holtry admitted to uploading and receiving child pornography. He estimated having viewed and possessed approximately 1,000 images of child pornography.
The charge of transportation of child pornography is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years to life.
Sentencings for both men are set for August 27, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
The case against Locklear was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Blackfoot Police Department, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction.
The case against Holtry was investigated by HSI, with the assistance of the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Meridian Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Coercion and EnticementRead the Press Release
BOISE – Bruce Eugene Froman, 41, of Meridian, pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court to attempted coercion and enticement, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. As part of his plea, Froman also agreed to forfeit the cell phone used in the commission of the charged offense.
According to the plea agreement, in March of 2018, detectives with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force posted an advertisement on Craigslist stating a mother and daughter were looking for a “mature man for play.” Froman responded to the advertisement. An ICAC detective represented himself to be a 35-year-old woman with a 15-year-old daughter “looking for a respectful man to come and teach her some stuff.” Froman stated his desire to have sexual contact with the 15-year-old. Froman made numerous statements to the purported mother and the 15-year-old daughter attempting to persuade, induce, and entice the 15-year-old to engage in sexual contact.
Froman agreed to come to the residence of the purported 15-year-old to engage in sexual contact with her. When he arrived at the residence, detectives arrested him. They seized a cell phone from his vehicle, and later discovered the text messages between Froman and the purported mother and daughter. Froman admitted he “gave into his deviant thoughts,” and admitted sending messages indicating his intent to engage in sexual contact with a 15-year-old.
Sentencing is set for August 14, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Attempted coercion and enticement is punishable by not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $5,100 special assessment.
This case was investigated as part of a joint operation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Garden City Police Department, the United States Marshal’s Service, and the United States Postal Inspectors Service.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Dawn Michelle Humphreys, 45, of Boise, was sentenced yesterday to 90 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge also sentenced Humphreys to serve five years of supervised release.
In September of 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Humphreys and three co-defendants for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. The charges stemmed from an investigation that began in August of 2017. That month, police officers arrested one of Humphreys’ co-defendants at a Boise hotel. While in jail, the co-defendant arranged for the transportation of methamphetamine and marijuana from California to Idaho. On August 21, 2017, investigators in Cloverdale, California, observed Humphreys and one of her co-defendants leave for Idaho. Investigators in California stopped and searched the vehicle. During the search, investigators found 2.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.7 kilograms of marijuana, a digital scale, packaging material, a police scanner, and a .22 caliber pistol.
Humphreys’ co-defendants have pleaded guilty, or will plead guilty, to federal charges in Idaho. One of Humphrey’s co-defendants, Chico Adame, was sentenced in Boise earlier this year to ten years in prison; another has pleaded guilty; and the third, is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on May 29th.
This case was the result of a joint investigation by Boise Police Department, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), includes the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and U.S. Marshals Service. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Two Men Plead Guilty to Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Marijuana TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – Arcenio Sosa-Solorio, 27, of California, and Bonifacio Carlos-Tafolla, 24, also of California, pleaded guilty this week to possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
According to court records, both men traveled from California to Idaho to distribute 25 pounds of marijuana to an undercover police officer. On December 2, 2017, Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio arrived in Idaho and met with the undercover officer in an empty parking lot. After the undercover officer signaled, other officers attempted to arrest the men. Carlos-Tafolla and Sosa-Solorio, both armed with handguns, fled from officers. Sosa-Solorio brandished a pistol as he fled. When the undercover officer threw Sosa-Solorio to the ground, Sosa-Solorio fired his handgun, nearly striking the officer. The officer knocked the gun out of Sosa-Solorio’s hands and arrested him. Officers found Carlos-Tafolla nearby. He said that he threw his pistol on the ground. Investigators found his loaded .40 caliber pistol nearby. Officers also found both men had approximately 35 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.
The charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute is punishable by up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence up to life, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years. However, where a firearm is discharged, the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment is ten years.
Sentencings for both men are set for August 9, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
This case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, the Twin Falls Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Fort Hall Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Federal Gun OffenseRead the Press Release
POCATELLO - Tyrell Owen Dixey, 34, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday for illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Dixey to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dixey pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2018.
According to the plea agreement, on January 30, 2017, a vehicle was stopped in Fort Hall. Dixey was a passenger in the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length. The shotgun was later determined to have Dixey’s fingerprints on it. Dixey admitted possessing the shotgun and knowing the shotgun had a barrel length of less than 18 inches. The shotgun was not registered to Dixey in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Fort Hall Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Nampa Man Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - Robert Carlos Morales, 41, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced last week for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Morales to140 months in prison. The Court also ordered that upon completion of his sentence, Morales serve four years of supervised release.
According to evidence presented in court, on March 14, 2017, Morales and co-defendant Anna Marie Delagarza distributed 53 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual in Nampa, Idaho. On July 25, 2017, officers arrested Morales and discovered an additional 51 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle. At the time these events occurred, Morales had absconded from felony supervised release on a previous federal drug trafficking case.
On January 24, 2018, Anna Marie Delagarza pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On April 17, 2018, Judge Lodge sentenced Delagarza to 72 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Nampa Police Department.
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 Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The HIDTA program is a national drug-prohibition enforcement program run by the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations. Idaho uses HIDTA funds to investigate and prosecute drug trafficking organizations that operate in and around Ada, Canyon, and Bannock counties.
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AG Sessions and USA Davis Recognize Law Enforcement Service and Sacrifice During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
BOISE – Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, and commented on the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report.
Since 1995, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial Ceremonies have honored Idaho law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. These ceremonies are a poignant, annual expression of gratitude to honor fallen friends whose end of watch occurred in service to their communities. In Idaho, we have lost 71 officers since 1883. This year, at the Idaho Peace Officers Memorial at 700 S Stratford Drive, Meridian, Idaho, a Candlelight Vigil will be held on May 16, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. and a Memorial Ceremony will be on May 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
“One officer death is too many,” Attorney General Sessions said. “While we are inexpressibly grateful to have had a decrease in the number of officers killed in the line-of-duty last year, the number is still far too high. At the Department of Justice, we honor the memories of the fallen and we pray for their families. We are also following President Trump's Executive Orders to back the women and men in blue, to enhance law enforcement safety, and to reduce violent crime in America. Those priorities will help keep every American safe, including those who risk their lives for us. As always, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”
“As United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, I am honored to work closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers,” said Bart Davis. “I see firsthand how the men and women of law enforcement fulfill their sworn duty to uphold justice every day. I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and quiet courage they continually demonstrate under demanding and often dangerous circumstances.”
According to statistics collected by the FBI, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2017 – a 21 percent decrease from 2016 when 118 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents.
Additionally, in 2017 there were 46 law enforcement officers killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts – this is a 30 percent decrease from 2016, when 66 law enforcement officer were killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts.
For the full comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks and selected assaults resulting in injury, please see the 2017 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, which is linked below.
In October 1962, Congress passed and President Kennedy signed a joint resolution declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th, give us the opportunity to pause and to honor these brave public servants, to reflect on their commitment and valor, and to honor the families who grieve their loss. Consider attending one of the many events to be held throughout Idaho this week. And please join me in thanking all the wonderful women and men who put themselves in harm’s way daily.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
To access the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, please visit www.fbi.gov.
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Meridian Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – James Stewart Maxheimer, 46, of Meridian was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court to 72 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
According to the plea agreement, between May and June of 2016, detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force downloaded images of child pornography from the defendant’s computer using a peer to peer network. On July 13, 2016, ICAC detectives served a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Boise. They discovered an external hard drive hidden in an “Asteroids” video game console, and two laptop computers. The defendant admitted downloading images of child pornography using the peer to peer network on his computer, and to storing the images on the external hard drive. In all, detectives discovered 10,172 images and 378 videos depicting child pornography, including images of infants, toddlers, and children subjected to sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Maxheimer to pay $5,100 in special assessments and forfeit the external hard drive and two laptop computers used in the commission of the charged offense. As a result of his conviction, Maxheimer will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Last of “Operation Homeless” Defendants Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced the remaining two defendants in an “operation homeless” bank fraud prosecution, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Travis Bolston, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to time served, which amounted to approximately nine months (he was held in custody after his arrest). Leshelica Reese, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, also was sentenced to time served, but with three additional months of home detention. On March 12, 2018, their co-defendant, Daronte Jones, 40, of Decator, Georgia, was sentenced to time served, which amounted to approximately seven months (he was held in custody after his arrest).
All defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for participating in an “operation homeless” bank fraud scheme. According to the defendants’ plea agreements, their group stole checks that local businesses had placed in the mail. The defendants then made forged checks drawn on the bank accounts of those local businesses. Jones and Bolston then went to downtown Boise and persuaded a homeless man to cash the checks for them, initially promising him that he would be given a chance to work to earn money. Jones and Bolston then sent the homeless man into three different bank branches to cash the checks for them while they remained outside in a vehicle in case their fraud was detected. Jones and Bolston received the proceeds and, after leaving the area of the banks, handed them off to Reese.
Fortunately, the banks became suspicious and notified law enforcement. The Boise Police Department caught Bolston, Jones, and Reese with the evidence of their crimes.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Boise Police Department.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Adamsely Mendoza Mercado, 41, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A federal grand jury indicted Mercado on September 14, 2017.
According to court records, law enforcement used an undercover officer to arrange the purchase of three ounces of methamphetamine from Mercado. The officer met Mercado at his residence in Nampa, Idaho. The officer provided Mercado with cash and Mercado provided the officer with three ounces of methamphetamine. The Idaho State Police Forensics Lab determined over fifty grams was pure methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department 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 treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
BOISE – Raul Efrain Lopez Jr., 36, of Nampa, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A federal grand jury indicted Lopez on January 9, 2018. The indictment alleged that Lopez possessed a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony crime.
According to court documents, in November 2017, law enforcement stopped Lopez while he was driving in Nampa, Idaho, and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. Officers could see firearms in the backseat of the car and subsequently located a shotgun, three rifles, a handgun, ammunition, and magazines. Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
Unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for July 10, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole.
This case is being 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 treasurevalleypartners.org.
Four Correctional Officers Indicted in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise federal grand jury has indicted four current correctional officers employed by the Idaho Department of Correction (“IDOC”), U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. In another case, the grand jury indicted a former IDOC correctional officer, a former IDOC inmate and the inmate’s associate.
Both cases were indicted on April 10, 2018, and all seven defendants were arrested earlier today. One indictment charges four IDOC correctional officers with several federal offenses as follows:
- IDOC correctional officer Timothy Landon, 35, of Boise, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances and one count of possession and transportation of contraband cigarettes;
- IDOC correctional officer Richard McCollough, 36, of Boise, is charged with one count of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of distribution of cocaine;
- IDOC correctional officer Eric Thompson, 38, of Star, is charged with one count of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of distribution of cocaine; and
- IDOC correctional officer Robert Wallin, 35, of Boise, is charged with one count of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances and one count of possession and transportation of contraband cigarettes.
The case arose out of the defendants’ willingness to participate in a large-scale drug trafficking organization and to use their positions as IDOC employees to assist in illegal activity.
The charges of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances and distribution of cocaine are punishable by a minimum of ten years in prison up to life and a $10,000,000 fine. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison in addition to the sentence for the underlying drug crime. A second conviction for this offense carries with it an additional 25-year prison sentence to run consecutively to the first conviction for this offense and the underlying drug crime. The charge of possession and transportation of contraband cigarettes is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The second indictment charges former IDOC correctional officer Joshua Barney, 43, of Boise, former IDOC inmate Colin McIntyre, 27, of Stanfield, Oregon, and McIntyre’s associate, Tiffany Culbertson, 23, of Meridian, each with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right, two counts of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right, one count of conspiracy to use a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity and two counts of use of a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity.
This case arose out of the defendants’ scheme to smuggle contraband into an IDOC prison facility. Hobbs Act violations are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to use, and using, a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The indictments resulted from an investigation initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at IDOC’s request to address concerns of corruption among IDOC correctional officers. In addition to the FBI, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office participated in the investigation.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
- IDOC correctional officer Timothy Landon, 35, of Boise, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to aid and abet the distribution of controlled substances and one count of possession and transportation of contraband cigarettes;
Former Idaho Resident Indicted for Preparing Fraudulent Income Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal grand jury indicted David Brannum, 55, of Washougal, Washington, and formerly of Caldwell, Idaho, for preparing false income tax returns, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.
Brannum operated a tax preparation business called “Dave’s Tax Service” in Idaho in tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013. The indictment alleges that Brannum falsified certain itemized deductions in his clients’ federal income tax returns to improperly decrease their tax liability and to inflate their tax refunds. Many clients were subsequently audited and paid back taxes and penalties. The indictment charges Brannum with thirty-one counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of false and fraudulent income tax returns.
Aiding and assisting in the filing of fraudulent federal income tax returns is punishable by up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations division.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Passing of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Joseph FicaRead the Press Release
BOISE – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of renowned federal prosecutor Michael Joseph Fica on Sunday April 8, 2018. Mike was admitted to the bar in 1997, and began his career with a two-year clerkship with the Honorable Chief Judge B. Lynn Winmill. He was hired by then-U.S. Attorney Betty H. Richardson in 1999. Over Mike’s nineteen-year career with the United States Attorney’s Office, working under four United States Attorneys, he filed more than 500 indictments and prosecuted more than 1,000 defendants. He prosecuted a broad range of cases, but focused on illegal drugs and organized crime, working closely with federal agencies and with the Idaho State Police in eastern Idaho and around the state. He became the head of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force in 2011.
In addition to Mike’s prosecutorial duties, he brought his tremendous energy and humor to teaching, working as an instructor for Trial Advocacy and other courses for the Department of Justice at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. He played a key role in bringing the National High School Mock Trial Championship to Boise in 2016, and enjoyed working with high school students on mock trials for years. Mike also worked as a 5th District Official high school sports referee for eighteen years.
Mike’s absence will be felt particularly strongly in Pocatello, where he worked closely with five colleagues. He will also be missed by all 62-members of the office and by countless others with whom he worked over the years.
“Mike used his tremendous intelligence, his remarkable ability to juggle many things, his empathy, and his humor to tremendous effect. His devotion to public service, to his community, and to his family was profound,” said U.S. Attorney Bart Davis. “He will be missed, and his positive effect on the world around him will be missed as well.”
“Mike was a remarkable colleague. He had an inherent sense of justice and fair dealing. He had tremendous energy, smarts, and humor. And he brought all those things to his job every day. We will all miss him very, very much but we will work diligently to honor his memory,” said Pocatello Branch Manager, AUSA Jack Haycock.
Mike leaves behind him his wife, Ila Marie Fica, to whom he was married for 27 years; their five children, Zachary, Emily, David, Joseph and Benjamin; his brother, Thomas; his mother, Dorothy; his mother-in-law, Bette Woolsey; and his father-in-law, Ray Bingham. Mike was 49 years old.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Cruz Fica.
Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
BOISE – Ryan E. Curtis, 44, of Nampa Idaho, pleaded guilty on April 4, 2018, in the United States district court to distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in death, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Curtis was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on January 9, 2018.
According to court records, on August 13, 2017, Ryan Curtis distributed fentanyl to D.S. in Nampa Idaho. In Curtis’ presence, D.S. ingested a portion of the fentanyl, overdosed and lost consciousness. Instead of calling 911, Curtis attempted to revive D.S. by injecting him with methamphetamine. D.S. ultimately died from the drugs.
The charge of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in death is punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years up to life, a term of supervised release of at least three years, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.
Sentencing is set for July 3, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.
California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE - Justin Gomez, 29, of Barstow, California, was sentenced yesterday in United States district court for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Gomez to 240 months in prison. Judge Lodge also ordered Gomez serve an additional five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.
A federal jury found Gomez guilty of the crime after a two-day trial in April 2017. The evidence presented at trial showed that Gomez and his co-defendant, Salvador Gonzalez, traveled from southern California to Boise, Idaho, to distribute a large quantity of methamphetamine. Local and federal law enforcement officers discovered the conspiracy and intervened. On September 11, 2015, in Meridian, Idaho, both Gomez and Gonzalez were arrested with over two pounds of pure methamphetamine in their possession.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty before trial to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On November 9, 2016, Judge Lodge sentenced Gonzalez to 120 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board. The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.