Mario Fernandez Jr., Methamphetamine Possession, Idaho 2016

Methamphetamine Possession Lands Southside Gang Member 8 Years in Prison

BOISE – In a significant blow to the Southside gang, Mario Fernandez Jr., 37, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Fernandez to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison. Fernandez pleaded guilty on May 3, 2016.

According to information presented in court, on November 16, 2015, Idaho parole officers and officers from the Nampa Police Department conducted a home visit at the residence of Fernandez. While officers knocked on the residence door and contacted co-defendant Bayley Bird at the front of the house, Fernandez tried to escape by running out the back door. An officer positioned at the back door stopped Fernandez and escorted him back inside. The residence was searched and in a bedroom that Fernandez shared with Bird, officers found two firearms, a .22 magnum and a Glock pistol. Officers also found 158.7 grams of methamphetamine as well as brass knuckles, a large knife, a scale, and plastic baggies. At the time of his arrest, Fernandez had $2,036 in cash in his pocket.

Fernandez is a documented Southside gang member and Bird is associated with the Northside gang. At the time of the offense, Fernandez was on parole for aggravated assault and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. On February 4, 2016, Bird also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. She was sentenced to 60 months in prison on June 8, 2016.

The case was investigated by the Idaho Department of Correction, Nampa Police Department, the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, and ATF. The Metro Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and the Idaho Department of Correction.

The case 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.

As the Grimy Times continues to expose the dark underbelly of organized crime in Idaho, our readers can rest assured that justice will be served. The sentencing of Mario Fernandez Jr. is a significant victory in the fight against gang-related activity.

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