BOISE – Juan Gonzalez, a/k/a “Chango,” 27, was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Gonzalez to serve three years of supervised release. He pled guilty to the charge on July 13, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, Gonzalez admitted that he was a member of BMC, and that he agreed to participate in the conduct of BMC through a pattern of racketeering activity. Gonzalez specifically admitted that he attended BMC meetings, that he distributed controlled substances, and that he conspired to distribute controlled substances. At the sentencing hearing, Gonzalez told Judge Lodge that he no longer considered himself a member of BMC, stating “I’m done with it.”

According to the plea agreement, Gonzalez admitted that he was a member of BMC, and that he agreed to participate in the conduct of BMC through a pattern of racketeering activity. Gonzalez specifically admitted that he attended BMC meetings, that he distributed controlled substances, and that he conspired to distribute controlled substances. At the sentencing hearing, Gonzalez told Judge Lodge that he no longer considered himself a member of BMC, stating “I’m done with it.”

Two co-defendants await sentencing: Adelaido Gomez a/k/a “Guy,” pled guilty on July 9 to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Sentencing is set for November 13 in Boise. Amando Garcia, Jr., a/k/a Amando Torres, a/k/a “Toro,” 29, pled guilty on August 8 to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Sentencing is set for February 25, 2013, in Boise. The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. The attempted murder in aid of racketeering charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Trial for co-defendants Oscar Garcia a/k/a “Bubba,” a/k/a “Tiny,” and Juan Jimenez a/k/a “Loco,” is set for February 12, 2013.

The federal racketeer influenced corrupt organizations (RICO) law prohibits individuals from participating, or conspiring to participate, in the conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. An enterprise is defined as any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity. Racketeering activity is defined as specified criminal acts, including murder, arson, distribution of controlled substances, and intimidation and retaliation against witnesses.

The investigation, named “Operation Black Magic,” included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Department of Corrections, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Nampa Police Department, the Nyssa Police Department, the Ontario Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. The investigation is ongoing.