Florida Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Gun Charges

BOISE – Michael Angelo Sapp, 40, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 300 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Sapp to forfeit a firearm and $6,000 in drug proceeds.  Sapp was convicted by a federal jury on November 20, 2015, after a three-day trial. 

According to evidence presented at trial and at his sentencing hearing, Sapp, who was then living in Meridian, Idaho, was involved in a high speed chase the night of December 23, 2014.  Meridian police officers attempted to stop him after he was reported as an intoxicated driver who hit a pole at the McDonald’s drive thru located at 195 E. Central in Meridian.  During the chase that followed, Sapp reached speeds of 90 miles per hour, drove in the wrong lane and ran several red lights.  Officers finally stopped him near Meridian and Chinden roads.  The jury found that Sapp possessed with the intent to distribute 174 grams of pure methamphetamine, which was found in his vehicle.  The jury also found him guilty of possessing a .380 semi-automatic pistol.  Sapp had previously been convicted in the state of Florida of grand theft firearm, burglary, grand theft of more $10,000, grand theft of $300-500, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, pawnbroker transaction fraud, dealing in stolen property by trafficking, fraud upon secondary metals recyclers, grand theft of a firearm, and grand theft.  At the time of his arrest, he was wanted on felony warrants out of the state of Florida, and had fled the state to avoid arrest.

Judge Lodge found that Sapp obstructed justice by committing perjury at trial and by attempting to unlawfully influence witnesses.  Sapp also received a sentencing enhancement for creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to other persons in the course of fleeing from law enforcement.

The case was investigated by the Meridian Police Department, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board.  The Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Board is a collaboration of local law enforcement drug task forces and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.