Jason Eric Castillo, 33, of Middleton, Idaho, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Dee V. Benson also ordered Castillo to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Castillo was ordered to forfeit several firearms, including a 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol, .45 semiautomatic pistol, .357 revolver, .40 millimeter semiautomatic pistol, and miscellaneous ammunition.

Castillo pleaded guilty to the weapons charge on January 4, 2011. According to the plea agreement, in May 2010, law enforcement officials found a 9 millimeter semiautomatic pistol during a consent search of Castillo's Nampa hotel room. Castillo admitted knowingly possessing the firearm on that date and engaging in the sale of methamphetamine. Because he had previously been convicted for trafficking in methamphetamine, in May 2005 — a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year — Castillo is prohibited from possessing firearms.

The case was investigated by the Nampa Police Department, Canyon County Sheriff's Office, and Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, and 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 southeast Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit www.treasurevalleypartners.org.