DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Idaho

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Bart M. Davis
, United States Attorney
Contact: Cassie Fulghum

Caldwell Man Sentenced to Prison on Federal Drug Charge

SE – Leeroy Salazar, 39, of Nampa, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. A federal grand jury indicted Salazar on December 13, 2017.

According to court records, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Salazar on three occasions. Salazar, a member of the East Side Locos gang in Caldwell, has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for domestic violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. Salazar also has a prior drug offense that enhanced his sentence.

Distribution of methamphetamine is punishable by at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, at least eight years of supervised release, an $8,000,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The 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 Idaho Department of Probation and Parole.

This 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(link is external).

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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