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.

Boise Man Sentenced to 151 Months for Distributing Meth

POCATELLO—Ruben Moreno Sanchez, 36, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced in federal court in Pocatello to 151 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Sanchez to five years of supervised release and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 26, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, on August 7, 2011, a bail bondsman contacted Sanchez at a Boise motel. During that contact, Moreno told the bail bondsman that he had a pound of methamphetamine in his motel room, and that he was going to sell it to pay the balance he owed on his bond. The information was relayed to law enforcement, who executed a search warrant on Moreno’s motel room. During the search, officers found 134.7 grams of actual methamphetamine. Moreno admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intention of distributing it.

Sanchez and co-defendant Cesar Urrea-Naverette, 34, a Mexican national, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pocatello on October 25, 2011. Urrea-Navarette is set for trial on December 4 at the United States Courthouse in Pocatello.

The indictment was the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in conjunction with Idaho State Police and Boise Police Department. Other federal agencies participating in the OCDETF program include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Marshals Service.

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

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.

Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

BOISE — Mathew Grover, 22, of Fruitland, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to the plea agreement, Grover is a member of an enterprise called the "Brown Magic Clica," (BMC), a Sureno street gang with members in the Districts of Idaho and Oregon. Grover admitted that he and other members of BMC agreed to participate in the conduct of BMC through a pattern of racketeering activity. BMC members were ordered by the gang’s leaders to engage in criminal activity and to distribute a portion of the profits from the illegal activity to gang members who were incarcerated. Grover admitted that on April 21, 2009, he conspired with co–defendant Juan Gonzales and others to distribute oxycodone, and that he sold two .22 revolvers and a stolen motorcycle to another BMC member. Grover further admitted that on August 28, 2009, he sold three firearms and methamphetamine to a BMC member. At the time Grover possessed the firearms, he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. The charge of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise is punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years supervised release. The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm carries up to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release.

Sentencing is set for January 9, 2012.

A jury trial is set on December 6, 2011, for the remaining defendants named in the federal indictment – Salvador Apodaca, 24, of Pendleton, Oregon, Alfredo Castro, 35, of Boise, Oscar Garcia, 24, of Umatilla, Oregon, Adam Gomez, 23, of Boise, Adelaido Gomez, 26, of Boise, Juan Gonzalez, 26, of Cottonwood, Juan Jimenez, 27, of Boise, Jessie Rodriguez, 26, of Nyssa, Samson Torres, 23, of Ontario, and Amando Torres, 27, of Pendleton.

The federal racketeer influenced corrupt organizations () 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.

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.

Operation Black Magic is being prosecuted federally by Assistants U.S. Attorney and 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 southeast Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.

Men Indicted Federally on Bank Robbery Charges

Bryan Mark Johnson, 54, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise yesterday for bank robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Melvin Glen Lantis, 65, also of Las Vegas, was indicted for accessory after the fact. The two men are in custody pending arraignment in federal court.

The indictment alleges that on or about April 2, 2011, Johnson robbed Wells Fargo Bank located on Overland Road in Boise. On or about April 22, 2011, Johnson is alleged to have robbed Key Bank, also located on Overland Road. Johnson is charged with brandishing a firearm and assaulting another person during the commission of the crime that occurred on April 22. Because Johnson was previously convicted of a felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, he was barred from possessing firearms. Johnson's co-defendant, Melvin Lantis, is alleged to have hindered Johnson's apprehension.

The case was investigated by the Boise Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.

Mexican National Sentenced for Large Marijuana Grow on Public Lands

Leonardo Villasenor-Cesar, 23, was sentenced yesterday to fifteen years in federal prison in connection with a marijuana grow on public lands located in Valley County near the boundary with Boise County during the summer of 2010. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Villasenor-Cesar to forfeit drugs, manufacture materials and firearms. Villasenor-Cesar pled guilty last November to drug manufacturing and firearms possession charges. Villasenor-Cesar is a native of Michoacan, Mexico and had entered the United States illegally. He had been living in the Caldwell, Idaho area.

Between May and August 2010, Villasenor-Cesar and other co-conspirators planted, fertilized, watered, tended, and began harvesting approximately 1,687 marijuana plants on public lands administered by the United States Forest Service. Law enforcement officers were tipped off about the growing operation by a hunter. Federal and state law enforcement officers followed up and on August 31, 2010 carried out a joint arrest and eradication operation. They found two suspects in the marijuana growing operation and were able to arrest Villasenor-Cesar. The other suspect was able to evade capture in this remote, mountainous area. Villasenor-Cesar was armed with a loaded pistol at the time of his arrest, and another loaded pistol was found under his control. A stream had been dammed to provide water piped through plastic tubing to the cultivation plot. Two tents and primitive shelters were found, as well as cell phones, batteries, tools, plant growing materials. There was evidence that they had been supplied with groceries dropped off on a nearby road.

At sentencing, Judge Lodge commented on the lengthy prison sentence, saying that these harsh, fixed penalties reflect the nation’s concern about these types of operations; and the increasing concern that individuals who carry firearms in furtherance of growing marijuana on public lands create a danger for citizens who use public lands for lawful recreation. The case was the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), led by the United States Forest Service and Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Land Management, Canyon County Narcotics Unit, Boise Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Idaho State Police, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Idaho National Guard. The U.S. Forest Service is aggressively working with partners at the federal, state and local levels to address the issue of illegal marijuana growing in national forests and is committed to ensuring the national forest system is a safe place for visitors.

United States Attorney Wendy J. Olson praised the cooperative work done by so many law enforcement officers from state and federal agencies. “In remote areas, safe and successful handling of crime scenes, such as this one on Boom Creek, require the joint efforts of many agents,” said Olson. “The United States Attorney’s Office for Idaho prioritizes protection of public lands. It goes to the essence of national sovereignty that citizens be able to safely and lawfully enjoy our treasure of public lands in this state. Criminals who conduct operations such as this one endanger the public in three ways: first, by endangering our natural resources; second, by endangering citizens using public lands; and third, by growing marijuana which they then intend to richly profit from by selling illegal drugs to our citizens.”