Leobardo Oropeza-Contreras, age 29, of Caldwell, Idaho, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boise, to unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to the plea agreement, Idaho State Police detectives contacted Oropeza- Contreras at his residence on or about October 29, 2010, while the defendant was on probation in Gem County, Idaho. Oropeza-Contreras admitted that a rifle was in the residence and told detectives that he received the rifle from his cousin and was holding it for him. The defendant subsequently admitted that he was not present in the United States legally, having been previously removed from the United States.

The charge carries a maximum punishment of up to ten years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. Oropeza-Contreras cannot legally possess a firearm because he is an illegal alien unlawfully living in the United States.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2011, before U.S. District Judge A. Wallace Tashima in Boise.

The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Oropeza-Contreras 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 southeast Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit: www.treasurevalleypartners.org.