Two Eagle Residents Sentenced For Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine

BOISE – U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that two co-defendants—Samthana Jo Tackitt and Michael Scott Longhi—were sentenced to serve lengthy federal prison sentences for their involvement in a large scale Treasure Valley meth trafficking operation. The defendants appeared this week for sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.

Samantha Jo Tackitt, 31, of Eagle, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Michael Scott Longhi, 26, also of Eagle, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Winmill ordered Tackitt and Longhi to forfeit $18,400 of seized currency and $100,000 in cash proceeds to the United States.

According to court proceedings, Tackitt was arrested on April 3, 2013, in possession of 1.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and $5,062 in U.S. currency. That same day, Longhi was arrested as he was returning from California, where he had just received a large shipment of high-grade methamphetamine. He was found to be in possession of 1.7 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and approximately $3,000 in U.S. currency. The government argued at sentencing that lengthy prison sentences were warranted due to the large amounts of pure methamphetamine that Tackitt and Longhi conspired to distribute in the Treasure Valley. Further, the two were responsible for distributing over 100 pounds of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. The government also noted at sentencing that Tackitt had bragged about wanting to be “the biggest methamphetamine dealer in the Valley.”

In addition to Tackitt and Longhi, three other individuals charged in the federal indictment, pleaded guilty to related drug trafficking offenses. Ausencio Tovar, 48, of Eagle, Idaho, will be sentenced on February 3, 2014, for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; Darin James Bangham, 40, of Star, Idaho, will be sentenced on January 8, 2014, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; and Ashley Marie Armstrong, 27, will be sentenced on January 6, 2014, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The case is being investigated by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Meridian Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.