Batt Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charges

BOISE – Kyle Alan Batt, 27, of Caldwell, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to a federal indictment charging him with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. According to court documents, deputies with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office found Batt hiding with a gun early in the morning on October 24, 2012, a short time after two Canyon County Sheriff’s deputies were shot and injured. When deputies found Batt hiding, he shot himself in the head. Batt was originally charged by complaint and taken into federal custody in November 2012. The indictment was filed on December 11, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, Batt admitted that on October 23, 2012, he knowingly possessed a Beretta .40 semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. At the time Batt possessed the pistol he had previously been convicted, on May 14, 2004, in Boise County, Idaho, of possession of a controlled substance, a felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison; the charge of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number is punishable by up to five years in prison. Both charges are each punishable by up to three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. Batt agreed to forfeit the firearm he unlawfully possessed.

Sentencing is set for August 13, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, at the federal courthouse in Boise.

“Today’s plea is an important step in ensuring that this defendant cannot present a threat to any member of our community, including our law enforcement community,” said Olson. “Deputy sheriffs face uncertain dangers every day as they seek to keep us safe. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with all law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who seek to harm officers engaged in their duties receive swift and certain justice.”

The case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Batt is being 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.