Grimy Times Investigation: In a major blow to the Treasure Valley’s ‘Norteno’ Northside gang, two high-ranking members have pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes in Idaho.
Jose Manuel Menchaca, 35, and Nicole Danelle Nieto, 31, both of Nampa, Idaho, admitted to selling methamphetamine to undercover police informants during a long-term investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.
Menchaca, who pleaded guilty today, sold methamphetamine to a police informant on three separate occasions, according to the plea agreement. His charges are punishable by a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine up to $5 million, and a minimum of 4 years supervised release. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 28, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Nieto, who pleaded guilty yesterday, sold methamphetamine to a police informant on two occasions in June 2014, according to information presented in court. Law enforcement agents located additional methamphetamine when they searched Nieto’s residence on June 18, 2014. Her charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1 million, and at least 3 years of supervised release. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 26, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boise Police Department, and Ada County Sheriff’s Office, led the investigation into the ‘Norteno’ Northside gang, which is active in Nampa and other parts of the Treasure Valley.
Fourteen individuals were indicted on drug and gun charges as a result of the investigation. The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which includes the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), provided supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
The cases are being prosecuted by 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 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.
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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