ZinBlog

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced two Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations resulting in federal indictments of 25 defendants on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Seventeen indictments were issued over the last several months by federal grand juries in Idaho and one in the District of Oregon.

According to the indictments, the defendants distributed large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout Southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon. Many of the individuals allegedly had firearms at the time they gave out the narcotics.

During these investigations and arrests, law enforcement seized approximately 98 pounds of methamphetamine and about 21,000 fentanyl pills, 531 grams of fentanyl powder, 38 firearms, three bullet-proof vests and $121,615.

According to court records, several individuals allegedly associated with local street gangs with ties to the Jalisco Nuevo Generation Cartel.

The following individuals have been charged with federal drug and gun violations:

• Sergio Cisneros-Guzman, also known as Salamon Hernandez-Medina, residing in Nampa, Idaho, was indicted on seven counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premise.

• Efren Avilez-Lopez, residing in Ontario, Oregon, was indicted for distributing 25 pounds of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 21 pounds of methamphetamine.

• Maria Medina-Zeveda, residing in Ontario, Oregon, was indicted for distributing 35 pounds of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 21 pounds of methamphetamine.

• Efren Alexander Avilez-Pacheco, residing in Ontario, Oregon, was indicted on possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime. Avilez-Pacheco, a Mexican national, is also facing violations of the terms of his supervised release stemming from a 2019 federal drug trafficking conviction and his subsequent deportation to Mexico.

• Owenn Mitchell of Salem, Oregon, was indicted on two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

• Zach Vitale of Idaho Falls was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

• Cheyanne Juarez of Ontario, Oregon, was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Jason Castillo of Nampa was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Shaunda Buffi of Caldwell was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Robert Glenn of Nampa was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

• Anthony Lopez of Caldwell was indicted on one count of unlawful firearm possession.

• Megan Mackey of Caldwell was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Breana Rojas of Caldwell was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Rigoverto Hernandez of Caldwell was indicted on one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

• Bonifacio Nichiolas-Ruiz of Caldwell was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Andrew Walthall of Kuna was indicted on one count of unlawful firearm possession and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

• Jose Pedraza of Meridian was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

• Sonya Trujillo of Boise was indicted on one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.

• Michael McClain of Boise was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

In addition, Tracy Nunes of Payette was indicted on two counts of distribution of methamphetamine by a grand jury in the District of Oregon.

The OCDETF investigations also include several other defendants charged earlier with federal drug and gun violations:

• Isaac Bright pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and, on Feb. 14, 2023, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. Bright was a documented Latin Kings gang member with an extensive criminal history.

• Jordan Khan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and, on March 14, 2023, was sentenced to 98 months in federal prison.

• Paul Almaraz pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine and is set for sentencing on Sept. 25, 2023.

• Robert Chase pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and is set for sentencing on Aug. 31, 2023.

• Cesar Javier Avila-Molina pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is set for sentencing on Nov. 1, 2023.

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