Roberto Manuel Rojas, Methamphetamine Distribution, Idaho 2020

A Caldwell man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, according to a recent U.S. District Court ruling. Roberto Manuel Rojas, 31, of Caldwell, Idaho, was handed a 262-month prison sentence by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye in addition to 10 years of supervised release following his prison term.

Rojas pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2020, stemming from an investigation into the West Side Loma gang that spanned from October 2018 to October 2019. During the investigation, law enforcement utilized an informant to purchase two ounces of methamphetamine and a shotgun from Rojas in January and February 2019.

Rojas has a lengthy criminal history, including violent felonies, and is currently serving a state prison sentence for felony eluding a peace officer. His charges included distribution of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.

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

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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 www.treasurevalleypartners.org.

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