North Idaho Man Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Daniel Bisher, 36, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was sentenced today to 168 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distributing methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge ordered Bisher to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term, forfeit two firearms in his possession, and serve 100 hours of community service. Bisher pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2010.

According to the plea agreement, Bisher admitted that between January 2009 and August 2010, he bought, sold, and conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. In August 2010, the Coeur d'Alene Police Department arrested Bisher for obstructing an officer, grand theft, driving without privileges, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. While searching Bisher incidental to his arrest, police officers found methamphetamine and a Glock semi-automatic pistol. Because Bisher had previously been convicted of a felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, he was barred from possessing firearms. Bisher had three prior felony drug offense convictions in Kootenai County spanning 1995 to 2003. This was the first federal prosecution of Bisher.

Bisher’s arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force (NIVCTF), which focuses on violent crime and repeat drug offenders. The investigation and subsequent prosecution led to convictions and federal prison sentences for Hector Palomera-Palomeras, Gregory Herron, Brenda Barron, Paige Rathburn, Harold “Hank” Dillon, Amber Larsen, Charlotte Wilson, N'Quala Bigman, Randi Peil, and Dan Napier, and others.

Olson commended the officers involved. “This is just one example of how cooperative law enforcement between state, county, tribal, city and federal agencies can protect our communities,” said Olson. “The prosecution of Bisher and others involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy has removed repeat offenders from the Coeur d’Alene area.”

The NIVCTF is a Federal Bureau of Investigation-sponsored Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of law enforcement from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, Coeur d’Alene City Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, Idaho State Police, Bonner County Sheriff's Department, Shoshone County Sheriff's Department, and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The task force also participates with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and coordinates as needed with the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Forest Service.