News and Press Releases

Gang Member Sentenced to 60 Months for Racketeering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2012

Fifth Brown Magic Clica (B.M.C.) Member Sentenced

BOISE – Adam Gomez a/k/a “Lil Toro,” 24, of Boise, was sentenced in federal court today to five years in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge ordered Gomez to serve three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on December 7, 2011.

According to the plea agreement, Gomez admitted that he was a member of B.M.C., a Sureño street gang with members in the Districts of Idaho and Oregon, and that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including solicitation of arson and witness intimidation, through conversations he had while incarcerated in the Idaho Department of Correction.

Jessie Rodriguez, a/k/a “Pelon,” of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced in February 2012 to 115 months in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

Salvador Apodoca a/k/a “Bugz,” of Pendleton, Oregon, was sentenced in February 2012 to 60 months in prison for assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering.

Samson Torres, a/k/a “Gremlin,” of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced in January 2012 to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.

Mathew Grover, a/k/a “Dreamin,” of Fruitland, Idaho, was sentenced in January 2012 to 51 months in prison for c

Trial for co-defendants Alfredo Castro a/k/a “Papos,” Oscar Garcia a/k/a “Bubba,” a/k/a “Tiny,” Adelaido Gomez a/k/a “Guy,” Juan Gonzalez a/k/a “Chango,” Juan Jimenez a/k/a “Loco,” and Amando Torres a/k/a “Toro,” is set for September 18, 2012.

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.