BOISE – Raul Menchaca, 26, and Justin Nieto, 23, both of Nampa, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Boise to distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to Menchaca’s plea agreement, on October 27, 2010, he sold approximately 2.8 grams of methamphetamine to an individual in Nampa for $225. Menchaca admitted that he knew the substance he sold was methamphetamine and that he intentionally distributed it. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Menchaca agreed to forfeit a 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol seized from his unlawful possession on March 11, 2011.

According to Nieto’s plea agreement, he admitted that on October 21 and 27, 2010, he sold approximately 2.7 grams of methamphetamine to an individual in Nampa for a total of $260.

The charge of distributing methamphetamine is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1 million.

Sentencing for Menchaca and Nieto is set for May 24, 2012, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.

The cases were investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, a task force comprised of local and federal law enforcement agencies in the Treasure Valley. It is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho, and housed in the Canyon County Prosecutor's Office, to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership comprises 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.