Investigation Leads to Indictment of 21 People on Gun and Drug Charges

Thirteen Indictments Filed in Federal Court

BOISE—U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that a federal grand jury in Boise has indicted 21 individuals in 13 separate indictments for distributing methamphetamine and possessing firearms. The indictments, which were unsealed by the court this morning, are the result of a long-term investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The investigation began when the task force focused on the drug distribution of the “Aryan Knights” gang. The gang is active both in prison and on the streets throughout Idaho. Through the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Aryan Knight gang members who were trafficking methamphetamine, as well as associates of the gang who were the source of that methamphetamine.

Of the 21 individuals indicted, 13 were indicted on drug charges, including four counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 15 counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and four counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Eight individuals were indicted on firearm charges, including six counts of unlawfully possessing firearms, two counts of possessing sawed-off shotguns, and one count of transferring a sawed-off shotgun. Two individuals were indicted on both drug and firearms charges, including two counts of distributing methamphetamine and two counts of unlawfully possessing firearms.

Five defendants were arrested earlier today in a law enforcement effort coordinated by the Metro Task Force. Twelve other defendants were already in custody. The four remaining defendants have outstanding warrants. A federal grand jury indicted the defendants in April, July, August, and September. James Everette Hood, 40, of Boise, was indicted on April 12; Rory Vincent Palma, 38, of Boise, on July 10. The six defendants indicted on August 14 are Joshua Michael Trent, 31, Christina Shantell Massie, 35, Andrew Gallegos, 23, Jose Silva, 30, Shannon L. Stewart, 41, and Michael P. Duschka, 36, all of Boise. The 13 defendants indicted on September 12 are Dallas Tyler Thompson, 31, Cameron James Ball, 25, Joshua Michael Nall, 31, Nicholas Andrew Steele, 26, Lisa Rochel Samayoa, 45, Jesse Ray Delgado, 47, Stephanie Ann Robinson, 29, and Dennis Lynn James, 45; all of Boise; Christopher John Solders, 26, and Darin Scott Melton, 44, both of Twin Falls, Idaho; Nina Ann Lucas, 32, of Pocatello, Idaho; Rigoberto Bastrana Carrasco, 36, of Ogden, Utah; and Omar Riveroll- Hernandez, 32, of Long Beach, California. Carrasco and Riveroll-Hernandez are both Mexican nationals.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute is punishable by up to 20 years, 40 years, or life imprisonment, depending on the amount of methamphetamine involved; fines of up to $1 million, $5 million, or $10 million; and a minimum term of three up to five years of supervised release.

The charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

The charges of possessing a sawed-off shotgun and transferring a sawed-off shotgun are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $10,000, and up three years of supervised release.

“Methamphetamine trafficking is Idaho’s most serious drug crime,” said Olson. “The involvement of known gang members and the presence of firearms pose significant danger to our communities. Fortunately, federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to thoroughly investigate and, where appropriate, assist in bringing charges against those who bring this addictive substance and the violence that often accompanies it into Idaho. I commend the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Atwood for their detailed and painstaking efforts in producing these indictments.”

The indictments are the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Marshals Service; the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, a task force comprised of federal, state, and local agencies including the Boise Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; the Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls Sheriff’s Office, and Idaho State Police.

The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

The charges are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Nafzger and Chris Atwood, the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Gang SAUSA, although hired by state and local agencies, prosecutes cases in federal court. Those defendants convicted of federal charges are imprisoned in federal institutions rather than state prison, which results in significant savings by the State of Idaho. The Gang SAUSA has indicted a total of 212 defendants in federal court since the program’s inception in February 2007. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.

An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mountain Home Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine

BOISE—Rudolfo Reyes, 25, of Mountain Home, Idaho, was sentenced in United States District Court in Boise today to 52 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Reyes to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. He pled guilty to the charge on June 19, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, on July 20, 2010, Reyes, a documented member of the Southside (Sureño) street gang, sold approximately 5.2 grams of methamphetamine for $470 at a residence in Boise. Reyes admitted that he knew the substance he sold was methamphetamine and that he intentionally distributed it. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Western Laboratory in San Francisco, California tested the substance and confirmed that it contained methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine trafficking, particularly by gang members, is a serious crime that demands a serious response from law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts,” said Olson. “Mr. Reyes will spend more than four years in federal prison for bringing this horribly addictive drug to our community. I commend the multi-agency law enforcement work that produced justice in this case.”

The investigation included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Fruitland Police Department, the Idaho Department of Correction, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Nampa Police Department, the Nyssa Police Department, the Ontario (Oregon) Police Department, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Reyes was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.

Leader of BMC Gang Gets 168 Months for Racketeering

BOISE – Alfredo Castro, a/k/a "Papos," 36, was sentenced today to 168 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Castro to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment. He pled guilty to the charge on June 7, 2012. He is currently housed in the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

Castro is a leader and founding member of the Brown Magic Clica (BMC) gang, a Sureño street gang with members in the Districts of Idaho and Oregon.

According to the plea agreement, Castro admitted that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including the solicitation of arson and murder, through conversations he had while incarcerated in IDOC. Castro admitted that BMC rules state that any individual who cooperates as a witness in a criminal investigation against a BMC member is an enemy to BMC. BMC members are to engage in intimidation, including threats and acts of violence, against any cooperating witness.

Castro admitted that in December of 2008, he ordered BMC members to commit the crime of arson on a business in Fruitland, Idaho, where a BMC member had committed a murder. Castro's order to commit the arson was not carried out. Castro further admitted that he commanded BMC members to kill a former member who had testified in a murder trial against a fellow gang member. BMC members later discussed Castro's command in three separate BMC meetings. Castro's command to commit the murder was not carried out.

"Mr. Castro's sentence should send a strong message to all gang members that severe sanctions will be imposed when their conduct crosses the line into criminal activity and violent action," said Olson. "Mr. Castro will spend the next 14 years in federal prison. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Idaho and eastern Oregon will continue to work together to make our communities safe from violent street gangs."

To date, five members of the BMC gang have been sentenced to serve federal prison sentences on related charges: Adam Gomez a/k/a "Lil Toro," of Boise, to 60 months for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise; Jessie Rodriguez a/k/a "Pelon," of Ontario, Oregon, to 115 months for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; Salvador Apodoca a/k/a "Bugz," of Pendleton, Oregon, to 60 months for assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering; Samson Torres a/k/a "Gremlin," of Ontario, Oregon, to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise; and Mathew Grover, a/k/a "Dreamin," of Fruitland, Idaho, to 51 months in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Two co-defendants await sentencing: Juan Gonzalez a/k/a "Chango," 27, pled guilty on July 13 to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Sentencing is set for October 1. Amando Garcia, Jr., a/k/a Amando Torres, a/k/a "Toro," 29, pled guilty on August 8 to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Sentencing is set for October 29 in Boise. The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. The attempted murder in aid of racketeering charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Trial for co-defendants Oscar Garcia a/k/a "Bubba," a/k/a "Tiny," Adelaido Gomez a/k/a "Guy," and Juan Jimenez a/k/a "Loco," is set for February 12, 2013.

The federal racketeer influenced corrupt organizations (RICO) law prohibits individuals from participating, or conspiring to participate, in the conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. An enterprise is defined as any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity. Racketeering activity is defined as specified criminal acts, including murder, arson, distribution of controlled substances, and intimidation and retaliation against witnesses.

The investigation, named "Operation Black Magic," included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Ada County Sheriff's Office, the Boise Police Department, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff's Office, the Idaho Department of Corrections, the Malheur County Sheriff's Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Nampa Police Department, the Nyssa Police Department, the Ontario Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. The investigation is ongoing.

Eleven Gang Members and Associates Indicted Federally

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BOISE, ID—Six members of a “Norteño,” or Northside, street gang active in the Treasure Valley and four known associates were indicted this week by a federal grand jury, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. A fifth associate was indicted last month. The grand jury indicted the gang members and associates in 10 separate indictments charging a total of 27 counts of drug trafficking, six counts of unlawfully possessing firearms, four counts of possessing sawed-off shotguns, two counts of transferring sawed-off shotguns, and one count of possessing stolen firearms.

Five of these defendants were arrested earlier today; three others are in custody on state charges; and three remain fugitives. The federal court unsealed the indictments following the arrests. The charges are the result of Treasure Valley gang unit investigations into the activities of Northside gang members. A 14-month investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force produced nine indictments charging a total of 10 defendants. The Boise Police Department’s gang unit conducted the investigation of the 11th case.

The defendants named in the indictments are Nampa, Idaho, residents Francisco Javier Ramirez-Arreola, 37, Jennifer Ann Hillyard, 27, Terra Lee McFetridge, 28, Justin Alfred Nieto, 23, Raul Menchaca, 26, Andres Marcos Trejo,24, Tiffany Ann Stapleton, 30, and John Robert Rodriguez, 20; Boise resident Khesha Marie Freese, 34; and Caldwell, Idaho, residents Baldemar Arteaga, Jr., 27, and Shawn Lynn Gordon, 32.

The indictments against the Northside gang members and associates were only a portion of the federal grand jury’s gun and drug charges this month. The federal grand jury this month also charged Stephen Na, 20, of Santa Rosa, California, an associate of a Norteño gang named “Lokked Out Khmer,” on federal firearms and drug charges. Na was arrested today in California. Also indicted was Kenneth Lee Morgan, 50, of Nampa, for possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Morgan is not a gang member.

Federal drug trafficking charges are generally punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and three years of supervised release. Where the defendants are charged with distributing five grams or more of actual methamphetamine, they face a minimum term of five up to 40 years in prison, a fine up to $5 million, and a minimum of four years’ supervised release.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years’ supervised release. The charge of possession and transfer of a sawed-off shotgun is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, and three years of supervised release.

“These charges and arrests underscore the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement to combat gang crime in Idaho,” said Olson. “We will use every available resource and work together to minimize gun and drug crime and take down the violent street gangs that damage our communities.”

“The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force deserves recognition for their ongoing commitment to creating safer communities throughout Idaho,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson. “The law enforcement partners who collaborate in this effort have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on gang violence and criminal activity throughout the region. These most recent indictments and arrests are an excellent example of the work being done to address the gang threat in Idaho. The FBI is proud to partner with the many agencies that contribute to the task force’s mission.”

These investigations and arrests involved the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Idaho National Guard Counterdrug Program, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Department of Correction, Boise Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Twin Falls Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The 11 gang members and associates are being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The SAUSA has indicted a total of 183 defendants in federal court since the program’s inception in February 2007. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southeast Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.

An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Four Members of Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced

POCATELLO — Four members of a large scale drug trafficking conspiracy were sentenced to federal prison this week, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today. The three men and one woman appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

Julio Medellin–Pena, 47, of Burley, was sentenced on Tuesday to 126 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Medellin–Pena pleaded guilty in March 2011.

Veronica Cruz–Jimenz, 34, a Mexican national, was sentenced on Monday to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On April 5, 2011, Cruz–Jimenez and Andres Collado–Rojas, 20, also a Mexican national, were convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine between October 2009 and August 2010. Collado–Rojas was sentenced on July 18 to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Diego Vega–Corona, 40, a Mexican national, was sentenced on Monday to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Vega–Corona will be required to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. He pleaded guilty to the charge in May 2011. As part of his plea, Vega-Corona forfeited cash proceeds of at least $2,000.

Luis Angel Cruz–Jimenez, 25, a Mexican national, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cruz–Jimenez will also be required to serve three years of supervised release. He pled guilty on May 3. Sentenced on July 8 on related drug charges were Mexican nationals Julio Jimenez–Morales, 30, to 108 months in prison, and Jose Penaloza–Paramo, 30, to 240 months in prison. Both men will be required to serve five years of supervised release following their prison term. Jimenez–Morales was ordered to forfeit $10,000; Penaloza-Paramo, $39,000.

The defendants were charged in a 34–count superseding indictment filed in July 2010. According to plea agreements and trial testimony, between October 2009 and August 2010, the co–conspirators, led by Jose Penaloza–Paramo, participated in a drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of multiple pounds of methamphetamine in Ada, Canyon, Bannock and Franklin counties.

"Methamphetamine trafficking is a serious problem that demands a serious response from law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts," said Olson. "These defendants, appropriately, will pay a heavy price for bringing this dangerously addictive drug to Idaho communities. State and federal law enforcement officers throughout Idaho will work together to ensure that drug traffickers are caught, prosecuted and convicted."

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Idaho State Police, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The investigation was the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi–agency, multi–jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

Seventeen Years on the Run Over for Boston Fugitive

FBI and U.S. Marshals Service Arrest Enrico Ponzo in Idaho

After nearly two decades on the run, 42-year-old Enrico Ponzo, a fugitive wanted by the FBI in Boston for conspiracy to commit murder, RICO, firearms, and other violations in Massachusetts, was arrested this week in Idaho.

FBI special agents assigned to the Salt Lake City Division’s Boise office worked in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force to develop information leading to Ponzo’s arrest. On Monday, February 7, 2011, the USMS Fugitive Task Force arrested Ponzo without incident near his home in Marsing, Idaho. On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, FBI special agents and task force members served a federal search warrant at Ponzo’s home to recover evidence.

According to the wanted poster on the FBI Boston Division’s website, (http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/cei/enrico-ponzo/view), Ponzo was arrested in 1994 on cocaine and drug charges. He failed to appear in court and a local arrest warrant was issued, followed by a federal arrest warrant. In 1996, he was charged with aggravated assault in Everett, Massachusetts, and later indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder. Ponzo allegedly was involved in the New England La Cosa Nostra in the late 1980s. It is further alleged that he conspired to murder and attempted to murder rival faction members.

Ponzo’s arrest is the result of hard work by many law enforcement agencies. The FBI would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in Idaho, which includes the Ada and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices and the Nampa Police Department. The FBI also appreciates the assistance of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and ATF. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI agents in both Idaho and Massachusetts continue to work together on this matter.

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