Mexican National Sentenced to 70 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Distributing Meth
Man is Associate of Northside Gang
BOISE – Francisco Javier Ramirez-Arreola, 38, a Mexican national formerly residing in Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm, distributing methamphetamine, and possessing a sawed-off shotgun, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Ramirez- Arreola to serve four years of supervised release following his prison term and forfeit the firearms in his possession. He pleaded guilty to the charges on April 5, 2012.
According to a plea agreement, between October 2010 and February 2011, Ramirez- Arreola met with an individual at his Nampa residence and other locations and illegally sold three firearms, including two sawed-off shotguns and a semi-automatic pistol. During this same time period, Ramirez was paid $600 for approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine. Ramirez-Arreola admitted that he unlawfully possessed an additional two sawed-off shotguns, two semi-automatic pistols, and a stolen revolver. Ramirez-Arreola, an alien illegally in the United States, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Ramirez-Arreola, indicted in October 2011, is an associate of a “Norteño,” or Northside, street gang active in the Treasure Valley. Ten other Northside gang members and known associates were indicted in November 2011. The indictments were primarily the result of a 14- month investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force. The Boise Police Department's gang unit conducted the investigation of one of the cases.
The eleven gang members and associates are being prosecuted by the former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, 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.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
