Boise – Carlos G. Paladini, 56, of Twin Falls, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Paladini to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay a $1000 fine. Paladini pleaded guilty to the charge on March 21, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, the defendant made arrangements with an undercover police officer to sell four firearms for $1000. The defendant agreed to travel to a motel in Twin Falls to conduct the transaction. On his way to the motel, his vehicle was stopped by law enforcement. Inside of the vehicle, law enforcement found a duffle bag containing five handguns wrapped in socks. One of the firearms had an obliterated serial number. Another firearm was reported stolen.

At the time the defendant possessed firearms, he had previously been convicted of a felony crime of possession of a controlled substance. A search of the defendant's residence located additional firearms, methamphetamine, and evidence that the defendant was distributing methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by Twin Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Idaho State Police.