A Nampa man is headed back toward federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, stemming from a May 30, 2021, single-vehicle crash that exposed a loaded Taurus 9mm tucked in his waistband. Carlos Ballesteros, 28, of Nampa, was a passenger in the wrecked vehicle when a Canyon County paramedic discovered the weapon while administering medical aid at the scene.
At the time of the crash, Ballesteros was a known felon with a prior 2020 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. That conviction already barred him from owning or carrying firearms under federal law—and he was still on supervised release for that very offense when the loaded pistol was found.
Court records show the discovery triggered an immediate federal investigation led by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services. The multi-agency collaboration swiftly built a case centered on Ballesteros’ prohibited status and the inescapable fact that he was armed while under federal supervision.
Ballesteros now faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for February 15, 2022, with the final term to be determined by a federal district court judge weighing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory considerations.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced the plea and praised the coordinated efforts of the Task Force, which includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Nampa Police Department; FBI; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police; Caldwell PD; Canyon County Sheriff; Meridian PD; and Idaho Department of Correction. ‘The contributions of these agencies to this multi-jurisdictional task force help make Idaho one of the safest states in the country,’ Gonzalez said.
The case was prosecuted by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired through the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho, specifically tasked with targeting gang-related crimes. The Partnership, a coalition of elected officials in southwest Idaho, focuses on regional growth and public safety coordination. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.
RELATED: Nampa’s Carlos Ballesteros Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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