District of Idaho
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Mountain Home Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Mountain Home man was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to statements made in court, on March 15, 2021, James Doud, 60, was stopped by Elmore County Sheriff’s deputies for traffic violations in Mountain Home, Idaho. Deputies suspected that Doud was trafficking methamphetamine. After a trained canine indicated the presence of drugs inside his vehicle, a lawful search revealed approximately 1286 grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of heroin, $4,500 in cash, and a 12-gauge shotgun with associated ammunition. Doud was prohibited from possessing the shotgun due to a previous burglary conviction. Further investigation revealed that, approximately 30 minutes before the stop, Doud had delivered methamphetamine to two other people.
In addition to the prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Bill R. Wilson, from the Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, ordered Doud to serve five years of supervised release. Doud pleaded guilty to the charges on February 2, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Federal Jury Convicts Lapwai Man for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – After a three-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Coeur d’Alene found Qaya Mikel Gordon, 20, guilty of two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye presided over the trial, which began on June 27. The case was charged and tried in federal court because the Defendant and victims were tribal members and the crime was a felony that occurred on the Nez Perce Indian reservation.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Gordon attacked and injured his mother and her boyfriend with a hammer on November 1, 2021. Gordon initially denied involvement in the crime, telling the police that he was not there. At trial, however, he acknowledged that he was there but claimed that he acted in self-defense. The jury found him guilty.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye set sentencing for September 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit attributed the successful investigation and prosecution to the collaborative effort of the Nez Perce Tribal Police and Prosecutor’s Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We succeed in protecting our citizens and furthering the interests of justice when we work together,” he said.
Hurwit also encourages those experiencing domestic violence or those who know of someone in need of help to reach out to local law enforcement or to the free and confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE, texting “START” to 88788, or visiting their website at www.thehotline.org.
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Star Woman Sentenced to 14 Months for Making False Statements to Obtain $11 Million in Government Contracts Designated for Service-Disabled Veteran BusinessesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Star woman was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for falsely claiming that a business she controlled qualified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. By making the false statements, she made it appear that her business was eligible for more than $11 million in government procurement contracts at two military bases.
According to court records, between October 2012 and May 2018, Vicki Rice, 61, of Star, Idaho, willfully made materially false certifications that her business, CAM Services, Inc. (“CAM”), was qualified to compete for and obtain government contracts set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. While CAM’s organizing documents supported Rice’s assertion that it was owned by a service-disabled veteran and that it qualified for the contracts, investigation revealed that the business was not, in fact, qualified. Rice, who is not a service-disabled veteran, actually controlled the business. And she willfully made the false certifications to make the business seem eligible for the government contracts.
The Defendant made her false statements in the System for Award Management, which is a database for federal contractors operated by the General Services Administration. Contractors must certify that they are qualified to compete for and receive federal procurement contracts in the System. In addition, contractors must annually certify their continued eligibility for government contracts set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
On behalf of CAM, Rice submitted bids on commissary contracts at two military bases. Both contracts were set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. CAM was awarded the contracts, which had a combined value of over $11 million over five years, and tax returns showed that Rice earned $480,039 from CAM between 2012 and 2019.
In addition to the 14-month sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Bill R. Wilson, from the Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, ordered Rice to pay the $480,039 she reported earning from CAM in restitution to the Department of Defense and to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Rice pleaded guilty to the charge on April 12, 2022.
“Service-disabled veterans deserve better than to lose out on government contracts because someone else cheats the system,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. “Our office will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who unlawfully subvert the government contracting process for their own personal gain.”
“Fraudulent schemes such as this fleece the government and deserving veterans who served our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Terry Pfeifer of the GSA Office of Inspector General. “GSA OIG will continue working with law enforcement partners to combat federal contract fraud.”
“This case demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), along with our law enforcement partners, to aggressively pursuing those who undermine the integrity of government-sponsored small business initiatives,” said Michael Mentavlos, Special Agent in Charge of DCIS's Southwest Field Office. “Individuals who engage in activity that deprives legitimate program participants of valuable economic opportunities will be thoroughly investigated and held accountable.”
“Falsifying documents to gain access to SBA program funds intended for the nation’s small businesses is reprehensible,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit, of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and commended the following agencies for cooperative efforts that led to the prosecution of this case: the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Aiding and Abetting the Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Caleb McCall-Teigen, 22, of Boise, was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the production of child pornography.
According to court records, the investigation began after a 5-year-old child disclosed that she had been sexually abused by her nanny. Law enforcement learned that the nanny provided care for four additional children as well as the 5-year-old. The investigation revealed that McCall-Teigen communicated through Snapchat with the nanny and requested that she produce sexually explicit images and videos of the children in her care.
Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) obtained a federal search warrant for McCall-Teigen’s Snapchat account. Within the account, HSI located messages between McCall-Teigen and the nanny, as well as explicit videos of the minor victims. HSI subsequently obtained a federal search warrant for McCall-Teigen’s Boise residence and seized the cellphone he had used for the communication.
U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson ordered McCall-Teigen to serve 20 years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, McCall-Teigen will be required to register as a sex offender.
“This case reflects the sad reality that there are perpetrators in our communities who use technology and social media to exploit children,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, of the District of Idaho. “The collaboration between local, state, and federal partners in this case shows our joint commitment to protecting children and holding predators accountable to the full extent of the law. We encourage everyone to report suspected child abuse. The child’s report in this case led directly to this investigation and allowed multiple victims to escape further abuse and to receive help.”
“Mr. McCall-Teigen’s acts of coercion and victimization serve as a stark reminder of the lengths that child predators go to satisfy their depravity,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Though this sentence will never truly repair the damage caused by Mr. McCall-Teigen, it is hopefully some comfort to not just the victims and their families, but the entire community.”
The nanny was also charged by Information with five counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and six counts of production of child sexually exploitative material. An arrest warrant is outstanding. An Information is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Meridian Police Department, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report suspected child abuse in Idaho, call your local Police or Sheriff’s Department or call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: (208) 334-5437 or toll free, (855) 552-KIDS (5437).
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Joshua D. Hurwit is Sworn in as United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Joshua D. Hurwit has been sworn in as United States Attorney for the District of Idaho today. Hurwit was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., on April 25, 2022, and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 13, 2022. Chief U.S. District David C. Nye administered the oath of office.
“I am honored to serve as United States Attorney,” Hurwit said. “I am grateful for the special trust and confidence shown to me by President Biden and all of those who supported me throughout this process, especially my family. I also want to thank Senator Crapo and Senator Risch for approving of my confirmation. I look forward to fulfilling the Department of Justice’s mission in Idaho alongside our law enforcement and community partners. It is a privilege to continue serving with my colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We all share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, preventing violent crime in our communities, maintaining our natural resources, protecting the civil rights of our residents, and seeking justice for victims.”
Hurwit joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho in 2012. He initially worked in the civil division, defending the United States against lawsuits and pursuing affirmative claims on behalf of the United States. In 2015, Hurwit joined the criminal division, where he prosecuted financial crimes, environmental crimes, public corruption cases, and drug and firearms offenses. He also has led the RICO conspiracy prosecution against members of the Aryan Knights white supremacist gang. In 2005, Hurwit received the Director's Award for Excellence by a Litigative Team for his work as part of the trial team that successfully prosecuted United States v. Swenson et al., the securities and wire fraud case arising from the collapse of DBSI, Inc.
Hurwit also thanked Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., the First Assistant United States Attorney in the office who served as United States Attorney in acting and interim capacities since February 2021, for his dedicated service. “Mr. Gonzalez has made lasting contributions to our Office not only through his internal leadership and mentorship, but also through the relationships he has built with law enforcement and other partners throughout Idaho.” said Hurwit. “He is a true public servant.”
Hurwit grew up in Eugene, Oregon. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with honors from Stanford University in 2002 and from Harvard Law School in 2006, where he received the Best Oralist Award in the finals of the Upper Round Ames Moot Court Competition. After law school, Hurwit clerked for U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the Southern District of New York and worked at national law firms before joining the United States Attorney’s Office in Idaho.
As United States Attorney, Hurwit is the chief federal law enforcement official in the state of Idaho, having prosecutorial responsibility over 44 counties in Idaho, encompassing more than 83,000 square miles and a population approaching 2 million people. He leads three staffed offices located in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello with 64 total employees, including 31 attorneys, and three full-time Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and four full-time contractors. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to domestic and international terrorism, civil rights, the environment, public corruption, child exploitation, fraud, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases, pursues civil fraud claims on behalf of the United States, and collects debts owed to the United States.
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Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - A Caldwell man pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Jorge Armando Cervantes, 30, sold another person methamphetamine on two different occasions. On April 14, 2021, he sold approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine and on April 21, 2021, he sold approximately 54 grams of methamphetamine.
Cervantes is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19, 2022, and faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, a five million dollar fine, and at least four years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine Cervantes’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation by the City County Narcotics Unit consisting of officers from the Caldwell Police Department and the Canyon County Sheriff’s office, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Two Men Sentenced for the Unlawful Taking of a Golden EagleRead the Press Release
BOISE – Two Treasure Valley men, were sentenced for the unlawful taking of a golden eagle without permission.
According to court records, Colten R. Ferdinand, 20, of Boise, Idaho, and Wyatt G. Noe, 23, of Eagle, Idaho, were each charged by Information with one count of unlawful taking a golden eagle without permission and one count of unlawful taking a migratory bird of prey without permission. On April 10, 2021, they entered the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and shot and killed a golden eagle and shot and killed five red-tailed hawks. Both Ferdinand and Wyatt pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful taking of a golden eagle on March 24, 2022.
United States Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale sentenced Ferdinand and Wyatt to two years of probation and 15 hours of community service related to wildlife conservation. Further, Judge Dale ordered a two-year hunting ban and a two-year ban from possessing firearms. Noe was ordered to forfeit his rifle, pistol and ammunition; and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the Idaho Fish and Game Department. Ferdinand was ordered to forfeit his rifle, ammunition, and two Streamlight flashlights and was ordered to pay $3,800 in restitution to the Idaho Fish and Game Department.
The Idaho Fish and Game Department, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement and Security, participated in a joint investigation that began in March of 2021, after law enforcement was notified of multiple birds of prey, to include red tail, ferruginous, and rough-legged hawks, and golden eagles, found dead under the power line that paralleled the Big Baja Road in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. All of those hawks are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and golden eagles are protected under the Bald Eagle Act of 1940.
As part of the investigation, officers interviewed a Boise State Graduate Research Assistant regarding the raptor shootings. The research assistant stated there was a history of raptors being killed in that area. On March 13 and 14, 2021, the research assistant reported that several dead raptors were located in the conservation area. All of the raptors collected showed evidence of being shot, and two raptors suffered bullet exit wounds. One raptor that survived the shooting was taken to a veterinarian where it was later euthanatized. On March 20, 2021, nine additional dead raptors were located, along with ammunition casings.
Law enforcement was conducting surveillance in the area on April 10, 2021, and observed Ferdinand and Wyatt driving along Big Baja Road with powerful hand-held lights and watched as they shot at raptors. When approached by law enforcement, both Ferdinand and Noe admitted to shooting at the raptors. A search of the area discovered a freshly killed golden eagle and five freshly killed red-tailed hawks, to include one juvenile hawk.
“The wonton killing of migratory birds, including the majestic golden eagle and the red-tailed hawk is senseless,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “We take our mission to support fish and game laws very seriously, as do our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement and land management. The slaughter of migratory birds will not be tolerated,” he concluded.
“These defendants knowingly shot and killed migratory birds and a golden eagle, which are protected under state and federal laws,” said Edward Grace, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement. “We thank the U.S. Department of Justice, the Idaho Fish and Game Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for their work on this investigation.”
U.S. Attorney Gonzalez made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho Fish and Game Department, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement and Security, which led to charges.
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Eastern Idaho Nurse Practitioner Pays the Price for Unlawfully Prescribing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
BOISE – Kenneth Lowther, a nurse practitioner in eastern Idaho, consented to judgment against him after admitting that he unlawfully prescribed narcotics on more than 15 occasions. The judgment, entered by the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, found Lowther civilly liable for violating the Controlled Substances Act and required that he pay a $30,000 fine.
According to the government’s Complaint, Lowther wrote prescriptions for hydrocodone in the name of one patient, but thereafter gave the prescriptions to a third-party for filling and use. The government alleged, and the Court and Lowther ultimately agreed, that the unlawful prescriptions lacked a legitimate medical purpose and were written outside the usual course of professional practice in violation of federal and state law.
“While there is a place for opioid pain medication in a legitimate medical practice, that place is not the unlawful diversion of such medication for illegal and unauthorized use,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., who announced the judgment. “This office will continue to hold prescribers accountable under the Controlled Substances Act when they write prescriptions that lack a legitimate medical purpose, and this case once again demonstrates our commitment to attacking the opioid epidemic on all fronts.”
“The allegations in this matter describe an outrageous diversion of opioid pills without medical purpose and with the high potential to cause harm to individuals and communities,” said Steven J. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We will continue to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to root out this kind of abuse at every turn.”
This matter was investigated jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, with additional assistance provided by the Idaho Board of Pharmacy and the Idaho State Attorney General’s Office.
For additional case information and publicly available court documents, see United States v. Kenneth Lowther, 22-CV-00069 (REP) (U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho).
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Federal Jury Convicts Pocatello Man for Trafficking Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – After a four-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Pocatello found Adam Lee Vallely 46, of Pocatello, Idaho, guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. Senior U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson, from the Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, presided over the trial, which began on June 6th and concluded with guilty verdicts on June 10th.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Vallely engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy with others in southeast Idaho beginning in December of 2017, to August of 2018. Evidence established that Vallely participated in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin from a Mexico source of supply. Evidence further established that Vallely had a source of supply in Salt Lake City that provided methamphetamine and heroin, and that Vallely and his co-conspirators attempted to get large quantities of cocaine from the Salt Lake City source of supply. In May of 2018, during the search a residence where Vallely was known to reside, law enforcement agents found methamphetamine, heroin, $15,000.00 in United States currency, and a money counting machine. At the time of the search Vallely was found hiding in an attic.
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances is punishable by a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by a minimum of 5 years up to forty years in prison, and possession with intent to distribute heroin is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment. Due to Vallely’s criminal history record he is subject to a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. The conspiracy charge is also punishable by a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Sentencing will be set before Senior U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms, and Explosives, the Idaho State Police, Pocatello Police Department, the Bannock County Sherriff’s Office, the Blackfoot Police Department, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Corrections which led to charges.
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Boise Man Sentenced to over 19 Years for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Judd Evans Ballard, 47, of Boise was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye.
According to court records, the investigation began after Yahoo reported that child pornography had been uploaded to two Yahoo accounts. The report was assigned to the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”) Task Force for investigation. ICAC determined that the accounts belonged to Evans. ICAC obtained search warrants for the accounts and located several files of child pornography.
A federal magistrate judge subsequently issued a search warrant for Ballard’s residence in Boise. During the execution of the search warrant, ICAC located a cellphone belonging to Ballard. A forensic examination of the cellphone revealed over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography. ICAC also located evidence that Ballard had used a social media application to trade child pornography files with another individual. Ballard has previous sexual offense convictions.
Chief Judge Nye also ordered Ballard to serve a lifetime term of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $9,000 in restitution to victims in the images he possessed. Judge Nye also ordered Ballard to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Ballard will be required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the ICAC, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise Police Department, Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, and Idaho Department of Corrections Probation and Parole which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Former Congressional Candidate Pleads Guilty to Covid-19 Relief Fraud and Falsification of RecordsRead the Press Release
Boise – A Boise man pleaded guilty for using COVID-19 relief funds for personal expenditures and for falsifying records to conceal thousands of dollars of in-kind contributions by employees in a report to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC).
According to court documents, in 2020, Nicholas Jones, 36, of Boise, Idaho, a small business owner, applied for and received COVID-19 relief funds, including through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), totaling $753,600. Despite certifying that these funds would only be used for business-related expenditures, Jones used a significant portion of the funds for personal expenses, including car payments, life insurance policies, and political advertisements.
In 2020, Jones ran as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. Jones told employees of his small business that they could continue to be paid their normal wages if they worked on his congressional campaign. Employees reported to work on behalf of Jones’s congressional campaign and were paid thousands of dollars in wages through Jones’s small business including, in part, with funds Jones had received as part of a PPP loan. After losing the primary election, Jones caused his campaign committee to file a campaign finance report with the FEC, which omitted any in-kind contributions from any entity or individual other than Jones, including the thousands of dollars of in-kind contributions to his campaign in the form of employee time and work.
Jones pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court of Idaho to wire fraud and falsification of records. Jones will be sentenced at a later date. Jones faces a maximum total 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to the charges.
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Nampa Man Sentenced to 6 years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - A Nampa man was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, Shawn Eugene Norris, 44, led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in a Nampa neighborhood before crashing his vehicle into a trash can in a residential alley. Officers watched as Norris exited his vehicle and threw an object away in one of the trash cans. Officers opened the trash can and found that the only item inside was a quarter pound of methamphetamine.
Norris has a criminal history spanning 30 years with prior state convictions for possession of controlled substances, carrying a concealed weapon without a license, battery-domestic violence, grand theft, and a federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.
Senior U.S. District Judge Bill R. Wilson, from the Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, also ordered Norris to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Norris pleaded guilty to the charge on March 1, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation by the Nampa City Police Department, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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California Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A California man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to court records, on May 25, 2021, Raul Garcia, 41, of Woodland, California, was found in possession of nearly four pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Nampa, Idaho. Garcia admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to other people.
Garcia has a criminal history spanning two decades and includes Idaho and California convictions for grand theft, domestic violence, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, injury to a child, and assault.
Senior U.S. District Judge Bill R. Wilson, from the Eastern District of Arkansas, sitting by designation, also ordered Garcia to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Garcia pleaded guilty to the charge on February 23, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Nampa Police Department and Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
This case was investigated by 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; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction.
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Sean Robert Wathen of Hope, Idaho, Convicted for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – A federal jury convicted Sean Robert Wathen on Friday, May 13, 2022, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Wathen worked with Larry Junior Hillbroom and others to acquire and smuggle methamphetamine through international airports between North Idaho and the Pacific Islands of Guam and Palau. Wathen acquired pounds of methamphetamine for Hillbroom over several months in 2015. Hillbroom and others would then use several different methods to smuggle the drugs, including shampoo containers and carrying the substance on their person, to Guam and Palau. Once in Guam or Palau, Hillbroom would coordinate with locally-based individuals to sell the methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers learned of the conspiracy, investigated, and ultimately arrested Hillbroom and his coconspirators.
Wathen is scheduled to be sentenced on August 9, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Wathen was originally charged with Morgan Kenney, 36, Zachary Craig Carlson, 31, and Larry Junior Hillbroom, 37, all of Hope, Idaho. Kenney, Carlson, and Hillbroom previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to imprisonment. Morgan Kenny was sentenced to 52 months, Zachary Craig Carlson was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment, and Larry Junior Hillbroom was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Rexburg Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Rexburg man was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography.
According to court records, in May 2020, the residence of Daniel Gary Archibald, 45, was searched by detectives with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children task force. The search was conducted at Archibald’s Rexburg residence after receiving information that he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl online. During the search, law enforcement found a laptop and cellphone hidden under Archibald’s mattress.
Archibald had an active Twitter account that was discovered during the search of his devices. Archibald distributed child pornography videos through this Twitter account sharing links to videos of child pornography. In total, Archibald distributed over 3,300 videos of child pornography.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Archibald to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Archibald pleaded guilty to the charges on February 15, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children task force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Idaho Falls Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – On May 16, 2022, an Idaho Falls man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on drug trafficking and immigration charges. A federal jury convicted Jose Luis Cruz-Delgado, 29, at a trial held in November 2021. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill presided over the trial and imposed sentence.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Cruz-Delgado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of deported alien found in the United States. On September 26, 2017, Cruz-Delgado and a co-conspirator were stopped in San Bernardino, California, with 28 pounds of methamphetamine. Cruz-Delgado admitted the methamphetamine was his. He also admitted he was returning to Idaho Falls. He was later released on bond following his California arrest.
Cruz-Delgado subsequently continued trafficking methamphetamine to Idaho from California up until his arrest in Idaho in August 2018. Evidence at trial showed that, during the course of the conspiracy, Cruz-Delgado was responsible for distributing over 30 to 40 pounds of methamphetamine through one of several co‑conspirators. When arrested in Idaho, Cruz-Delgado admitted to being previously deported from the United States.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, Idaho State Police, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department which led to the charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Boise Man Sentenced to over 6 Years for Transporting Women for Prostitution and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for transporting women for prostitution and money laundering.
According to court records, between July 2019 and June 2021, Dannie Carr, 37, of Boise, Idaho, was the manager of a businessengaged in the interstate prostitution of two women, primarily between Idaho and Washington. Carr coerced the women to engage and remain in the prostitution business by perpetrating domestic violence upon them. Carr recruited customers for the women by placing online advertisements for sexual services and reserved hotel rooms for the women to meet customers. Between January 2019 and May 2021, Carr made, or caused the victims to make, 480 hotel reservations in Washington, California, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, for the victims to provide sexual services.
As part of Carr’s business, the women received proceeds from sexual services through an online payment service, and then transferred the proceeds to Carr. The online transactions contained false notations that were designed to conceal the nature and source of the proceeds. In total, Carr laundered between $250,000 and $550,000 in proceeds from his prostitution business. Law enforcement determined that Carr used some of the laundered proceeds to purchase jewelry. Law enforcement later seized the jewelry from Carr’s Boise residence. Carr did not report the income he made from the prostitution business to the Internal Revenue Service and failed to file tax returns for the 2018 through 2020 tax years.
“We are proud of the partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement that led to this important prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “We will spare no effort to investigate and hold accountable anyone who would seek to profit through abuse and exploitation of another.”
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Carr to serve 5 years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to forfeit the jewelry that was purchased with illegal proceeds.
“Human trafficking is a real and growing threat across the Pacific Northwest. Those engaged in this type of crime will find the same fate as Mr. Carr,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “We are thankful for our partnerships across the region both with law enforcement and the community which facilitate the rescue of the victims of human trafficking as well as the prosecution of those responsible.”
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Department of Homeland Security – Center for Countering Human Trafficking, United States Customs Border Protection – National Targeting and Tactical Center, Transportation Security Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, Idaho State Police – Idaho Criminal Intelligence Center, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Seattle Police Department, and Bellevue Police Department (Washington), which led to charges.
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U.S. Attorney Gonzalez Recognizes Law Enforcement Partners During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
BOISE— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and quiet courage our law enforcement partners continually demonstrate under demanding and often dangerous circumstances,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “My office sees firsthand how brave men and women of law enforcement fulfill their sworn duty to uphold justice every day without question and without expectation of thanks. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation. This week, and every day, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice
Two Men Indicted in Multi-State Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - Two men, working together across the Oregon and Idaho border were indicted on federal charges on Tuesday April 26, 2022.
According to court records, Daniel DeLafuente Sosa III, 39, of Ontario, Oregon, and Nicholas Franklin Perkins, 37, of Weiser, Idaho, were charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl between February 23, 2022, and April 26, 2022.
If convicted, they each face a sentence of at least five and up to 40 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $5,000,000.00; and a period of supervised release of at least four years.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Boise Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Weiser Police Department, Ontario Police Department, and the Oregon State Police, which led to the charges.
This case is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Career Offender Sentenced to 235 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and HeroinRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.
According to court records, an investigation into Dennis Radford Colby, a/k/a “Dragon” and his drug trafficking organization began in 2020. On February 4, 2021, Colby was observed leaving a residence in Caldwell, Idaho after Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration had received information that Colby was traveling with a large load of methamphetamine. His vehicle was stopped after officers observed him driving erratically. Colby was armed with a stun gun and attempted to flee from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle discovered 3,916 grams of methamphetamine and 98 grams of heroin.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye also ordered Colby to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Colby was considered a career offender under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines because he was convicted of a controlled substance offense and has at least two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking. Colby was previously convicted of delivery of a controlled substance in 1998, possession of a controlled offense with the intent to deliver in 1999, and delivery of a controlled substance in 2003. Additionally, Colby has prior felony convictions for burglary on two occasions, malicious injury to property, flee or attempt to elude a police officer, and possession of a controlled substance. Colby was on parole at the time he committed this offense.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Department, the Ada County Sheriff’s Department and the Canyon County-City County Narcotics Unit, which led to the conviction.
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Boise Man Sentenced to over 8 years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE - A Boise man was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, Craig Joel Curtis, 42, was pulled over on July 31, 2021, for failing to maintain his lane. While officers were conducting a records check, a K-9 positively alerted to the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 358 grams of methamphetamine, 1.5 grams of heroin, several fentanyl pills, a digital scale, several empty zip lock baggies, two smoking devices and approximately $600.
Curtis has a criminal history spanning 28 years with prior state convictions for petit theft, forgery, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, grand theft, and injury to child.
U.S. Chief District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Curtis to pay a $700.00 fine and to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Curtis pled guilty to the charge on January 22, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation by the Boise City Police Department, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Boise Woman Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise woman was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
According to court records, in April 2019, Angelina Ruth Bustamonte was stopped by police for a traffic violation. During the investigation, a drug detecting canine sniffed Bustamonte’s vehicle and alerted to the odor of a controlled substance. A subsequent search of Bustamonte’s vehicle revealed three pounds of methamphetamine along with other items of drug paraphernalia. These drugs were intended to be distributed throughout the Treasure Valley.
Then, in October 2021, Bustamonte was arrested for failure to follow court orders. During the arrest, Bustamonte refused to follow the officers’ commands and smashed into police vehicles in an attempt to flee. A later search of Bustamonte’s vehicle revealed a firearm, methamphetamine, and additional items of drug paraphernalia.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Bustamonte to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Bustamonte has three prior felony convictions, one of which involved trafficking in methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise Police Department, and United States Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution in Magic ValleyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Jerome man was sentenced to federal prison this week for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Landeros, 40, a Mexican national living in Jerome, was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Magic Valley. Using a confidential informant, officers purchased methamphetamine from Rodriguez-Landeros on three occasions. Some of the transactions occurred at a tire shop Rodriguez-Landeros operated in Jerome, Idaho. In December 2020, Rodriguez-Landeros was stopped by police for not having a properly affixed license plate. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed over one pound of methamphetamine, a firearm, and other items of drug paraphernalia.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, sentenced Rodriguez-Landeros to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Rodriguez Landeros plead guilty to the crime on March 7, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which led to charges.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Boise Man Sentenced for Selling Methamphetamine, Heroin, and a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for selling controlled substances and a stolen firearm.
According to court records, in May 2021, Jason William Czech, 42, arranged to meet with an individual at a store parking lot in Boise to sell controlled substances and a firearm. Unknown to Czech at the time, the buyer was a confidential informant who was working at the direction of the Boise Police Department. Czech met with the confidential informant and exchanged methamphetamine and heroin for cash, then later sold a firearm that had recently been reported stolen.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, sentenced Czech to 66 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Czech pleaded guilty to the crime on December 13, 2021. Czech has four prior felony convictions and was on parole at the time he committed the offenses.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Boise Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Caldwell Police Lieutenant Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges for Using Excessive Force During an ArrestRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal grand jury in Boise returned a superseding indictment on April 13, 2022, charging Joseph Alan Hoadley, 42, a Lieutenant with the Caldwell Police Department, with using excessive force against an arrestee and writing a false report about his use of force against that arrestee.
The superseding indictment alleges that on March 30, 2017, Hoadley, a ranking Lieutenant and Police Officer with the Caldwell Police Department, deprived a person of their right to be free from the use of unreasonable force during arrest when Hoadley struck the person, who is identified in the superseding indictment only as B.H., resulting in bodily injury to B.H. The superseding indictment further alleges that Hoadley falsified records to cover up the misconduct.
Hoadley is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on April 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco, at the U.S. Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.
If convicted, Hoadley faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison for the deprivation-of-rights offense and a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison for the false-report offense.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to charges. If members of the public have information concerning these crimes or wish to report a similar crime, they should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (208) 344-7843.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Star Woman Pleads Guilty to False Statement in Case Involving More Than $11 Million in Government ContractsRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Star woman pleaded guilty to making a false statement in connection with government contracts.
According to court records, between October 2012 and May 2018, Vicki Rice, 61, willfully made materially false certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM) that the business CAM Services, Inc. was a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Organizing documents for CAM listed F.M. as President, with 51% ownership, and Rice as Vice President, with 49% ownership. F.M. is a service-disabled veteran.
The Government’s investigation revealed Rice, who is not a service-disabled veteran, was the actual controller of CAM. In fact, Rice had control over CAM’s finances, taxes, business records and corporate maintenance, payroll personnel matters, administration, performance under the contracts, and SAM certifications. Rice exercised both day-to-day management and administration over CAM. Rice also exercised long-term decision-making for CAM.
SAM is the primary registrant database for federal contractors that is operated by the General Services Administration. Contractors are required to make multiple certifications in SAM prior to competing for and receiving federal procurement contracts. In addition, contractors are required to submit annual certifications in SAM. In the case of government contracts available to SDVOSBs, contractors must annually certify that their business is, in fact, an SDVOSB.
On behalf of CAM, Rice submitted bids to obtain commissary contracts at two military bases. Both contracts were set aside contracts for SDVOSBs. CAM was awarded both contracts, which had a combined value of over $11 million over five years. According to Rice’s tax returns, Rice earned $480,039 from CAM between 2012 and 2019.
Rice is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2022 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, which led to charges.
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Clarkston Washington Man Sentenced to over 8 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Adam Christopher Johnson, of Clarkston, Washington, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge on April 20, 2021.
According to court records, Johnson, 35, conspired with Helene Martensen, 51, Chandler Lee Black, 21, and Richard Lee Black, 43, to distribute methamphetamine in the Lewiston, Idaho area. Lewiston Police Department detectives, assigned to the Quad Cities Drug Task Force, arrested Richard Black in January 2020, when he was found in possession of distribution quantities of methamphetamine, empty baggies, a digital scale, and cash. Several months later, in June 2020, after a significant collaborative effort, the FBI North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force stopped Martensen’s vehicle and found that she and Johnson possessed two pounds of methamphetamine. The key evidence, however, was obtained through FBI search warrants for cell phones and cell phone records. These records showed the effort of each conspirator to sell illegal drugs and firearms in the Lewis and Clark Valley, and on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation.
Martensen was sentenced on March 17, 2021, to 90 months in federal prison, Chandler Black was sentenced on July 7, 2021, to 78 months in federal prison, and Richard Black was sentenced on March 2, 2022, to 120 months in federal prison.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge on April 20, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office, Lewiston Police Department, Nez Perce Tribe Police Department, Idaho State Police, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkston Police Department, Asotin County Sheriff’s Office, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
The Quad Cities Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement officers working together to target drug trafficking in Lewiston and Moscow, Idaho, and Clarkston and Pullman, Washington.
The North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force (NIVCTF) is an FBI led task force with law enforcement officers from Lewiston Police Department, Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office, Grangeville Police Department, Nez Perce Tribe Police Department, Idaho State Police, and Post Falls Police Department. The mission of the NIVCTF is to identify and target for prosecution criminal enterprise groups and individuals responsible for crimes of violence and the manufacture and distribution of illegal narcotics.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Idaho Commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
BOISE – Every April, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho join survivors, advocates, and communities nationwide in observing Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Sexual violence is far too prevalent, and it is important to not only raise awareness of the myriad forms of sexual violence, but to engage in meaningful prevention efforts, take action to hold offenders accountable, and care for survivors in a trauma-informed manner. U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. joins the Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in applauding the recent passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022), which treats sexual assault as the serious violation it is and creates new programs and initiatives that provide survivors of sexual violence with increased access to services and justice. One such program is the Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) program, which cross-designates tribal prosecutors as SAUSAs to support tribes and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in investigating and prosecuting cases involving sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and certain sex trafficking offenses. VAWA 2022 also expands outreach to survivors in underserved communities by improving access to sexual assault medical forensic examinations for survivors in rural areas, providing community-specific services for LGBT survivors, and restoring tribes’ jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of sexual violence and sex trafficking, among certain other offenses committed on tribal lands.
“This year, as we in Idaho recognize Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we again commit to the victims of sexual assault that we will do everything in our power to support and deliver justice to them,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “Sexual assault victims are not alone, we in the law enforcement community stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Absolutely no one should live in fear of being sexually assaulted or of being retaliated against for reporting a sexual assault,” he concluded.
“During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and every month, OVW-funded programs across the nation provide essential services to survivors of sexual assault, responding to their needs, helping them heal, and supporting them as they pursue the justice they seek,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall. “The impact of sexual violence is felt by the entire community and can devastate survivors’ lives, which is why it is critical that VAWA 2022 strengthens not just services and justice interventions but also prevention.”
OVW funds resources in every jurisdiction, please see this website which lists OVW FY21 awards by state.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone and there are many services available to help, including the Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and the StrongHearts Native Helpline, 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483). In addition, you can find a local resources page on OVW’s website, which lists state sexual assault coalitions that can direct you to local resources and services, as well as opportunities to get involved.
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Idaho Falls Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearm.
According to court records, on July 15, 2020, officers with the Idaho Falls Police Department were conducting a follow up investigation on an unrelated theft case when they encountered Joshua Nathan Kelly, 39, at a residence near downtown Idaho Falls. Kelly fled the area when law enforcement attempted to contact him. He left behind a backpack that contained two stolen firearms and 20 grams of methamphetamine. Kelly was apprehended by law enforcement later the same day. Kelly has previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye, who sentenced Kelly, took into account that the firearms Kelly possessed were stolen and that Kelly also possessed methamphetamine in connection with possession of the firearms. Judge Nye also ordered Kelly to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his more than six and a half years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Idaho Falls Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 185 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 21 have been indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 8,062 months (approximately 672 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.4 months (4.45 years). Defendants indicted for unlawfully possessing a firearm serve, on average, approximately 40.5 months (3.4 years) in federal prison.
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Pocatello Man Convicted by a Federal Jury for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A federal jury sitting in Pocatello convicted a Pocatello man on April 5, 2022, for failure to register as a sex offender.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Kenneth Shaye Simmons, 46, was previously convicted in the state of Utah of sexual abuse of a child. As a result of his conviction, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) required Simmons to register as a sex offender.
In May 2020, Simmons left the state of Nevada, non-compliant with Nevada’s sex offender registry, and moved to Idaho. After moving to Idaho, Simmons failed to register as a sex offender while living in the state. He was apprehended in August 2020, after law enforcement received a tip regarding his location.
Simmons is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Sex offender registration and notification programs are important for public safety purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “Sex offender registration is a system for monitoring and tracking sex offenders following their release into the community. The registration provides important information about convicted sex offenders to local and federal authorities and the public, such as offender's name, current location, and past offenses. This office and our partners take very seriously the failure to register and will bring to justice those sexual offenders, who fail to register,” Mr. Gonzalez concluded.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho commended the cooperative efforts of the Bannock County Sheriff's Office, Pocatello Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which led to charges, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney, who presented the case to the jury.
Simmons was prosecuted for a violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) passed by Congress in 2006. The Act requires sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction where they reside. Violations of SORNA can be prosecuted in federal court.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Kamiah Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – A Kamiah man was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for second degree murder.
According to court records, Travis Dewayne Ellenwood, 44, beat and strangled his girlfriend, Bessie Blackeagle, killing her on October 31, 2020. Ellenwood maintains he was too intoxicated to remember what happened. Ellenwood is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, as was Ms. Blackeagle. Ms. Blackeagle was 28 at the time of her murder. She was a Nez Perce language speaker and well versed in Nez Perce traditions and customs. Her death has affected many in the tribal community.
Senior U.S. Ninth Circuit Judge Richard C. Tallman also sentenced Ellenwood to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence and to pay a $2,500 fine. Ellenwood pleaded guilty to the charge on October 4, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and credited the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nez Perce Tribal Police, and the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, which led to charges.
“Ms. Blackeagle’s murder is a tragic reminder of the danger Native American women face in the community,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “Generations of Native Americans have experienced violence or mourned a missing or murdered family member or loved one, and the lasting impacts of such tragedies are felt throughout the country. Native Americans face unacceptably high levels of violence, and are victims of violent crime at a rate much higher than the national average. Native American women, in particular, are disproportionately the victims of sexual and gender-based violence, including intimate partner homicide. Our focus remains centered on refining coordination between our office and our tribal partners so that no family must endure this kind of heartbreak in the future,” Mr. Gonzalez concluded.
"The FBI extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bessie Blackeagle. The pain and sorrow of a life taken in an act of egregious violence is a weight Bessie's loved ones will carry indefinitely," said Special Agent in Charge Dennis Rice of the Salt Lake City FBI. "Though nothing can bring Bessie back, the FBI remains dedicated to working with our tribal partners to investigate the most serious crimes affecting our tribal communities."
Mr. Gonzalez also encourages those experiencing domestic violence or those who know of someone in need of help to reach out, “everyone deserves a relationship free from domestic violence,” he added. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to the free and confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE, texting “START” to 88788, or visiting their website at www.thehotline.org.
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Two Idaho Men Enter Guilty Pleas to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Murtaugh man and a Pocatello man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Between January 1 and March 24, 2021, Antonio Verduzco-Arreola, 40, of Murtaugh, and Joseph Alexander Huber, 35, of Pocatello, entered into an agreement to distribute controlled substances in the Pocatello area. On March 21, 2021, two pounds of methamphetamine was abandoned in a Pocatello hotel room rented by Verduzco-Arreola. On March 24, 2021, Pocatello Police officers conducted surveillance near the hotel in Pocatello. Officers observed Huber meet with both Verduzco-Arreola and a third co-defendant. Verduzco-Arreola was later contacted by law enforcement and found in possession of 439 grams of counterfeit oxycodone that contained fentanyl. When Huber was arrested on April 30, 2021, police officers found 82 grams of methamphetamine in Huber’s possession and 167 grams of methamphetamine in his hotel room.
On March 29, 2022, Verduzco-Arreola pleaded guilty to entering into an agreement with his co-defendants to distribute fentanyl. Verduzco-Arreola is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14, 2022, before Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye and faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
On March 30, 2022, Huber pleaded guilty to entering into an agreement with his co-defendants to distribute methamphetamine. Huber is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2022, before Chief Judge Nye and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Pocatello Police Department, Idaho State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to charges.
This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction.
The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 186 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 139 have been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 7,982 months (approximately 665 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 53.21 months (4.43 years). Defendants indicted for drug trafficking offenses serve, on average, approximately 57.86 (4.8 years) in federal prison.
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Seattle Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Seattle man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court records, from at least May 2018 through November 2020, Ryan M. Tichy, 42, executed a scheme to defraud wherein he obtained the means of identification of many individuals and used that information to create false identification documents, open credit accounts, obtain loans, takeover existing credit accounts, and make purchases. The fraudulently obtained means of identification included names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and account numbers. After he gathered that information, Tichy would often create a fake driver’s license using his picture but the victim’s name. Tichy travelled around Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and elsewhere to make fraudulent purchases.
When law enforcement executed a search warrant on December 2, 2020, they discovered a mobile identity theft lab inside a trailer Tichy purchased using another person’s identity. The trailer contained materials, machines, computers, and printers for use in producing counterfeit identity cards and debit/credit cards. The trailer also contained foils, blank stock for driver’s licenses, an embosser, a card punch, printers, counterfeit driver’s licenses in various stages of completion, and counterfeit credit cards.
Tichy is scheduled to be sentenced on June 21, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and a mandatory minimum of two years for aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“This guilty plea reflects hard work by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigators to hold Mr. Tichy accountable for this widespread fraud that affected so many victims, who had their identities brazenly stolen,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “This office will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the integrity of the Social Security programs and protect the identities of our citizens. I applaud the work of our investigating partners in shutting down this stolen identity mill,” he concluded.
“This case results from collaborative law enforcement efforts to bring Mr. Tichy to account for his criminal offenses. He misused Social Security numbers and the identifiers of others for his personal gain, causing financial losses to individuals and businesses,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Seattle Field Division. “I thank our law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the cooperative efforts of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Boise Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Meridian Police Department, the Nampa Police Department, the Edmonds Police Department, the Island County Sheriff’s Office, the Kirkland Police Department, the Lynden Police Department, the Marysville Police Department, the Port of Portland Police Department, the Redmond Police Department, the Reno Police Department, the Seattle Police Department, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the Spokane Police Department, the Union Gap Police Department and United States Probation and Pretrial Services in the Western District of Washington, which led to charges.
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Idaho Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Enticement of a ChildRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted coercion and enticement a child.
According to court records, Joel Hawley Phelps, 63, admitted that, on September 24, 2021, he texted with a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl, but was instead, a law enforcement officer acting undercover. During their conversations, the undercover officer made clear that she was only 14 years old. Phelps asked to meet with her for the purposes of sexual intercourse, and they agreed to meet at a convenience store for that purpose.
On October 4, 2021, Phelps drove to the agreed-upon convenience store, where he was arrested. Phelps’ phone was searched and found to contain the messages in which he agreed to meet the fictitious girl for intercourse. Phelps also admitted in an interview with law enforcement that he had traveled to the gas station to have sex with the purported girl.
Phelps is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of a lifetime in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“In 2022, this office is projected to file more Project Safe Childhood cases than ever before,” stated U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “In fact, we expect our case filings to increase 22 percent over the preceding four-year average. What is astounding is that that average was an all-time high. The reason we are able to catch a record number of child predators is that our partner agencies, federal, state, and local, are sending us a record number of investigations,” Mr. Gonzalez added. “Like today’s case, a significant percentage of these child safety investigations are brought to us by ICAC. I commend ICAC and Attorney General Wasden for their work and our partnership. Together, we make Idaho a safer place for children,” he concluded.
“The crimes of child pornography and enticement are particularly vile because of who they target,” Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “But these strong local, state and federal partnerships give us the ability to push back and put dangerous criminals in prison. By working these cases whether from cybertip or undercover operation to sentencing, Idaho law enforcement and prosecutors are making a difference in the lives of our children and grandchildren.”
U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the cooperative efforts of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, which led to charges.
ICAC will be hosting a virtual event on April 6, 2022, to provide more information and resources regarding internet safety for children. The program, “Digital Dangers: Helping Idaho Adults Protect Children,” will be streamed live via YouTube on April 6 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. MDT, and will include information about online risks to children and teens and mental health effects children can suffer as a result of unhealthy online habits. The program will also include a presentation on the federal prosecution of online sexual predators. Presenters include: Chris McCormick, Idaho ICAC Commander; Mark Dalton, Idaho ICAC Investigator; Dr. Noreen Womack, Pediatrician; and Kassandra McGrady, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.
The YouTube channel is titled “Office of the Attorney General, State of Idaho” and is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ouMPXe9am2bWa2l9g4M6Q.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Nampa Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failure to Account for and Pay over Employment TaxRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa woman was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for failure to account for and pay over employment tax.
According to court records, from approximately 1999 to 2019, Nicole Beth Howerzyl, 69, was a corporate officer for Dave’s Motorcycle, Inc. (DMI) in Nampa. DMI was in the business of selling and servicing motorcycles. During that time, Howerzyl handled the bookkeeping for DMI, and exercised control over DMI’s financial affairs, including approving all payments by DMI and controlling all of DMI’s bank accounts.
For the calendar years 2013 to 2019, DMI employed approximately 15 to 25 people per year. During that period, DMI withheld taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes, Medicare, and social security taxes, often referred to as "payroll taxes." Howerzyl directly issued payroll checks twice per month and withheld payroll taxes from employees’ paychecks. Howerzyl also issued annual Forms W-2 to the employees of DMI, which reflected their gross wages, as well as their payroll taxes.
As a corporate officer of DMI, Howerzyl was aware that she had the corporate responsibility to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over DMI’s payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and file an Employer’s Quarterly Federal Income Tax Return (Form 941) following the end of each calendar quarter.
DMI, however, made no payments to the IRS for the calendar years 2013 to 2019. DMI further failed to file quarterly employment tax returns (Forms 941) with the IRS. Specifically, for the tax years 2013 to 2019, Howerzyl failed to account for $4,874,572.73 in wages at DMI and pay over $1,161,135.25 to the IRS in payroll taxes.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, also ordered Howerzyl to pay $373,552.21 in outstanding restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, pay a separate $10,000 fine, and to serve one year of supervised release following her prison sentence. Howerzyl pleaded guilty to the charge on December 13, 2021.
“Collecting payroll taxes from workers then failing to pay over those amounts to the federal government is a severe breach of trust and an assault on dutiful taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “It is stealing not only from the workers, but from the public at large. Those who flaunt federal tax laws, must know that they will be investigated and prosecuted," he said.
“IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to investigating individuals who defraud the government for personal gain by failing to submit payroll taxes to the IRS,” said Andy Tsui, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Ms. Howerzyl’s misconduct is a crime against all honest tax payers and we will continue to identify and bring to justice those who evade their tax responsibilities.”
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. commended the efforts of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, which led to charges.
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Caldwell Man Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
According to court records, on June 9, 2021, Idaho State Police troopers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Jesus Enrique Morales, 30, because Morales failed to maintain his lane. During the stop, the trooper discovered that Morales had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The trooper asked Morales to step out of the vehicle so he could place him under arrest. Morales stepped out of his vehicle and immediately began to argue about his pending arrest. When Morales resisted arrest, it resulted in a physical altercation with the trooper attempting to place Morales into handcuffs. After a prolonged fight, Morales ran towards the freeway in the direction of oncoming traffic. The trooper tased Morales, dragged him off the road to ensure that he would not be struck by any oncoming traffic, and placed him under arrest. As the trooper and other law enforcement officers waited for an ambulance to arrive to check on Morales, a police dog, which was trained and certified to detect the odor of controlled substances, positively alerted to the odor of a controlled substance in Morales’ vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 345.4 grams of methamphetamine. Morales has admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
Morales has prior convictions for battery, possession of a controlled substance, and providing false information to law enforcement.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, also ordered Morales to pay a $500 fine and to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Morales pleaded guilty to the charge on October 13, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the investigation by the Idaho State Police, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to federal prison this week for distributing methamphetamine in Boise and Nampa.
According to court records, Nicholas Leroy Strong, 44, distributed 55 grams of methamphetamine in Nampa on March 10, 2021, and 84 grams of methamphetamine in Boise on March 31, 2021. On April 21, 2021, law enforcement served a search warrant at a residence in Boise where Strong was staying. Investigators located approximately 450 grams of methamphetamine, $2,729 in cash, and a firearm in the bedroom where Strong was staying. Strong admitted to occasionally staying at the residence but resided full-time at a halfway house while on parole for two state convictions relating to distributing methamphetamine. He further admitted to receiving and possessing methamphetamine at the residence.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, sentenced Strong to 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Skavdahl also ordered $2,729 in cash and the firearm be forfeited. Strong pleaded guilty to the crime on December 27, 2021. Strong has two prior felony drug convictions and was on parole at the time he committed the offense.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, which led to charges.
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Nampa Man Sentenced for Federal Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
According to court records, on May 19, 2021, during an Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole search, Daniel Vega, 44, of Nampa, was found in possession of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. At the time of the search, Vega was on probation because of a 2017 felony conviction and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
Vega is a documented gang member with a lengthy criminal history, including two convictions for felony domestic battery.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye also ordered Vega to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Vega pleaded guilty to the federal firearms charges on December 1, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole, and the Nampa Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Illinois Woman Sentenced to 21 Months for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – An Illinois woman was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for bank fraud.
According to court records, Abbi L. Sullivan, 22, of Normal, Illinois, traveled to Idaho with at least three co-defendants in May 2020. On May 6, 2020, Sullivan cashed counterfeit checks at two First Interstate Bank branches in the Treasure Valley. The counterfeit checks had the logo and business information for the company accountholder along with a forgery of the account owner’s signature. The checks were payable to Sullivan. Sullivan presented her Illinois identification card to cash the counterfeit checks. Sullivan falsely told the bank teller that she sold some property to the company whose name appeared on the check. In addition to the checks in Idaho, Sullivan traveled with other co-conspirators to other states, including California, Ohio, and Massachusetts, to cash and attempt to cash counterfeit checks.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Sullivan to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence and to pay $20,209.66 in restitution.
Co-defendants Jakara B. Edwards, 24, and Tatyana A. Love, 21, both of Chicago, pleaded guilty on October 19, 2021, to bank fraud. Edwards and Love are scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ada County Sheriff's Office, Boise Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Ellisville Police Department, Fort Atkinson Police Department, Gahanna Police Department, Johnson Creek Police Department, Montgomery Township Police Department, Normal Police Department, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Redwood City Police Department, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Stockton Police Department, Waltham Police Department, and the Wellesley Police Department, which led to charges.
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Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls man was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
According to court records, on October 22, 2019, law enforcement received an investigative lead that Robert Neil Curran, 27, was using Twitter to distribute child pornography. The account’s identifying information led law enforcement to Curran’s phone number.
Curran was later arrested by his parole officer for unauthorized access to the internet and was interviewed on November 19, 2019, in relation to his Twitter usage. After waiving his Miranda rights, he admitted to viewing and receiving child pornography on Twitter. Curran possessed over 1,600 images of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Curran to serve fifteen years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Curran pleaded guilty to the charges on September 29, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Idaho Falls Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Boise Woman Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise woman was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Miranda Lee Stogsdill, 41, sold 108 grams of methamphetamine on April 1, 2021, and later sold 111 grams of methamphetamine on April 15, 2021. Both sales were for $1,250. On April 30, 2021, Idaho State Police troopers stopped Stogsdill as she was driving in Owyhee County, travelling back to Boise from California with four pounds of methamphetamine and one-and-a-half ounces of heroin. In addition to the controlled substances, troopers found a digital scale and several small empty zip lock baggies that are commonly used to weigh and repackage drugs for distribution. During her plea hearing, Stogsdill admitted that between April 27, 2021, and April 30, 2021, she travelled to Bridgeport, California, and purchased the controlled substances found in her vehicle, which she intended to distributed in and around Boise.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also order Stogsdill to pay a $500 fine and to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Stogsdill pleaded guilty to the charge on November 10, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and applauded the efforts of the Idaho State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Fort Hall Man Sentenced to Nearly 4 Years for Assault with a MacheteRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Fort Hall man was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to court records, on October 18, 2019, Fort Hall police officers received a call about a disturbance at a residence on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Officers responded to the residence and found a witness who said a person had been struck on the head with a machete. The witness saw Malik Ish, 20, of Fort Hall, strike the victim on the head with the machete. The victim was later located at the hospital where he was treated for a skull fracture. Police obtained a search warrant for the residence and located the machete in a bathtub, along with other evidence. Ish was interviewed and admitted that he was angry at the victim and went to the residence to find the victim, intending to hurt him. He stated that he struck the victim over the head with the blunt side of the machete blade.
The 40-month sentence imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye was in addition to the six months that Ish had already served in the tribal jail based upon the same conduct, resulting in a total of 46 months incarceration. Judge Nye also ordered Ish to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Ish pleaded guilty to the charge on December 7, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department, which led to charges.
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Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Nampa man pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on June 29, 2021, during arrest on an outstanding warrant, David Valdez, 40, of Nampa, was found in possession of a loaded 9mm caliber pistol. At the time of the arrest, Valdez was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2018 felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
Valdez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2022. He faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Middleton Police Department and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Mountain Home Man Sentenced to over 24 Years for Distributing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Mountain Home man was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison for distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) determined that Matthew Eric Cairns, 39, of Mountain Home, was a member of several social media groups where child pornography was being discussed or shared. The FBI determined that Cairns was the administrator of one of the groups, which gave him the authority to create rules of conduct for the group, remove members from the group, and facilitate discussions. While participating in one of the groups, Cairns shared a link to a file folder containing numerous files of child pornography, including a video depicting a toddler engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The FBI obtained a federal search warrant for Cairns’ residence in Mountain Home to search for evidence of the possession of child pornography. When the FBI executed the search warrant, Cairns attempted to conceal his cellphone in an air conditioning vent in his bedroom. The FBI seized the cellphone and located over 500 images and 48 videos of child pornography. The FBI also located evidence that Cairns had been communicating online with a 10-year-old child and had requested that she send him explicit videos of herself. The FBI located several videos of child pornography depicting the 10-year-old child on Cairns’ cellphone.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Cairns to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $18,000 in restitution to victims in the images he possessed. Judge Winmill also ordered Cairns to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Cairns will be required to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the FBI, United States Marshals Service, and the Mountain Home Police Department, which led to charges. “The collaboration between city and federal partners in this case shows our joint commitment to protecting Idaho’s children and holding predators accountable to the full extent of the law,” said Gonzalez.
"Our children should be protected, not preyed on by criminals like Matthew Cairn," said Special Agent in Charge Dennis Rice of the Salt Lake City FBI. "He not only helped proliferate this deplorable crime but subjected young victims to emotional and physical harm that they may never get over in their lifetime. The well-deserved sentence should send a strong message to those who sexually exploit children that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will track down and prosecute these criminals to fullest extent."
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Lewiston Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – A Lewiston man was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court records, Richard Lee Black, 43, of Lewiston, conspired with Helene Martensen, 51, and Adam Johnson, 34, both of Clarkston, Washington, to distribute methamphetamine in the Lewiston area. Lewiston Police Department detectives, assigned to the Quad Cities Drug Task Force, arrested Black in January 2020, when he was found in possession of distribution quantities of methamphetamine, empty baggies, a digital scale and cash. Several months later, in June 2020, after a significant collaborative effort, the FBI North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force stopped the vehicle of Martensen and Johnson and seized approximately two pounds of methamphetamine. The key evidence, however, was obtained through FBI search warrants for cell phone and cell phone records. These records showed the effort of each conspirator to sell illegal drugs and firearms in the Lewis and Clark Valley, and on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation.
Martensen was sentenced on March 17, 2021, to 90 months in federal prison. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2022.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Black to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Black pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office, Lewiston Police Department, Nez Perce Tribe Police Department, Idaho State Police, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkston Police Department, Asotin County Sheriff’s Office, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to charges.
The Quad Cities Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement officers working together to target drug trafficking in Lewiston and Moscow, Idaho, and Clarkston and Pullman, Washington.
The North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force (NIVCTF) is an FBI led task force with law enforcement officers from Lewiston Police Department, Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office, Grangeville Police Department, Nez Perce Tribe Police Department, Idaho State Police, and Post Falls Police Department. The mission of the NIVCTF is to identify and target for prosecution criminal enterprise groups and individuals responsible for crimes of violence and the manufacture and distribution of illegal narcotics.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Caldwell Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell woman was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for bank fraud.
According to court records, Melissa A. Castellanos, 52, of Caldwell, worked as a financial specialist and office Manager at Aspire Human Services in Idaho. Her duties included overseeing the Social Security Administration payee accounts for residents of Aspire’s intermediate care facilities. The intermediate care facilities provided residential and vocational services to developmentally-delayed or intellectually-challenged or disabled adults. From at least July 2015 through August 2017, Castellanos executed a scheme to defraud that included preparing and cashing checks for fraudulent purchases on residents’ accounts. Castellanos wrote inaccurate descriptions in the memo lines of the checks to help conceal her actions. After preparing and signing the checks for fraudulent purchases, Castellanos cashed the checks. In violation of company policy, Castellanos went to the bank alone, instead of brining the residents whose money she was taking. Castellanos kept the cash and did not provide it to the residents or use it to purchase the goods identified in the memo lines.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Castellanos to serve five years supervised release following her prison sentence and to pay $39,950.89 in restitution.
“Stealing social security benefits from vulnerable victims is a serious crime,” said U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. “This office will continue to work with SSA and other agencies to protect the public from defendants who are willing to abuse a position of trust for financial gain. Together with our partners at SSA Office of the Inspector General, we will continue to hold accountable those who commit crimes involving Social Security benefits.”
“Ms. Castellanos abused her position of trust to steal the funds of Social Security beneficiaries who relied on the agency to provide for their essential needs. My office will continue to hold accountable individuals who commit Social Security fraud,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Seattle Field Division. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in this case.”
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Boise Police Department.
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Chilean National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Vehicle Break-In and Credit Card Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Miami Beach, Florida man was sentenced to two years in federal prison for wire fraud stemming from his participation in a vehicle break-in scheme that victimized individuals and businesses across the country.
According to court records, from August 2020 through February 2021, Matias Ahumada‑Avendano, 31, of Miami Beach, and his co-defendant, Claudia Espinoza, 41, traveled to the Treasure Valley on multiple occasions to commit theft and fraud. They identified unoccupied vehicles parked at trailheads, broke into them, and stole credit cards belonging to the owners. Ahumada‑Avendano and Espinoza then used the victims’ credit cards to purchase gift cards and electronics from retail stores such as Target and Best Buy. Ahumada-Avendano and Espinoza were arrested on April 24, 2021 in Kent County, Michigan while breaking into a vehicle.
On November 22, 2021, Ahumada-Avendano pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in the scheme and was held accountable for $157,502.91 in loss for conducting this scheme in states including Florida, Kentucky, Utah, and Idaho. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Ahumada-Avendano to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison sentence.
On January 13, 2022, Espinoza pleaded guilty to wire fraud for her participation in the same scheme. She is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Winmill on April 18, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Boise Police Department, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Michigan State Police, and loss prevention employees from Best Buy, which led to charges.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOISE – A California man pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to court records, on May 25, 2021, Raul Garcia, 41, of Woodland, California, was found in possession of nearly four pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Nampa. Garcia admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to other people.
Garcia is scheduled for sentencing on May 31, 2022 and faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, a ten million dollar fine, and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine Garcia’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Nampa Police Department and Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
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Boise Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise man was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Jason Lee Gentry, 43, of Boise, sold another person methamphetamine on four different occasions. On December 2, 2020, he sold 10.45 grams of methamphetamine; on December 7, 2020, he sold 27.45 grams of methamphetamine; on February 2, 2021, he sold 28.05 grams of methamphetamine; and on February 10, 2021, he sold 28.05 grams of methamphetamine. On March 24, 2021, officers with the Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole conducted a search of Gentry’s home. When officers entered the premises, they discovered 30 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and plastic packaging materials commonly used to weigh and package drugs for distribution.
Gentry has prior state convictions in both Ada County and Valley County for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and injury to child.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also order Gentry to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Gentry pleaded guilty to the charge on September 13, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and applauded the efforts of the Idaho State Police, Boise Police Department, Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole, and the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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