Another Northside Gang Member Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine
BOISE – Justin Alfred Nieto, 23, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced in United States District Court today to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Nieto pleaded guilty to the charge on March 15, 2012. Nieto, documented by law enforcement to be a member of a Treasure Valley “Norteno,” or Northside street gang, is currently incarcerated at the Idaho State Correctional Institution in Boise.
According to the plea agreement, Nieto admitted that on two occasions in October 2010, he sold methamphetamine to another individual in Nampa, for which he was paid $260. Nieto admitted he knew the substance he sold was methamphetamine and that he intentionally distributed it.
In October and November 2011, Nieto and ten other gang members and associates were indicted on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Nieto is the fifth Northside gang member or associate to be sentenced to federal prison in the past two months for distributing methamphetamine in the Treasure Valley. Andres Marcos Trejo of Nampa was sentenced to 46 months; Shawn Gordon of Caldwell to 121 months; Tiffany Stapleton of Nampa to 36 months; and Terra McFetridge of Nampa to 33 months.
“Methamphetamine continues to be Idaho's most significant drug problem,” said Olson. “The U.S. Attorney's Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to working together to investigate and prosecute the dangerous gangs and individuals who bring this highly addictive drug to our communities.”
The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force and is being 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 southeast Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.