Idaho Falls Pair Who Possessed Drugs and Guns Plead Guilty in Federal Court

POCATELLO – Nicholas Levi Olsen, 34, and Chanel Lynn Bistodeau, 32, both of Idaho Falls, pleaded guilty this week to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.  Olsen and Bistodeau were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 25, 2017.  This case highlights the strong partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Eastern Idaho Partnership in reducing gun and drug offenses in eastern Idaho.

According to court records, in March of this year, Olsen and Bistodeau caught the attention of police while driving in Blackfoot.   Olsen and Bistodeau parked at an apartment complex, where Bistodeau fled on foot while Olsen walked away from the car.  The police caught up with Olsen, walked Olsen back to the car and had Olsen empty $730 in cash from his pocket.  Shortly thereafter, Olsen ran.  The police were unable to catch Olsen or Bistodeau. 

Police searched the car.  They found approximately ten ounces of methamphetamine, three pistols and drug paraphernalia. 

On April 15, police arrested Olsen and Bistodeau at the Fairbridge Inn in Idaho Falls.   Police found another pistol, about eight grams of methamphetamine and over four grams of heroin.

The charge for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by a term of imprisonment of ten years to life, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release.  Sentencing is set for January 18, 2018, before U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

The case was investigated through the combined efforts of the Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office, the Blackfoot Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Eastern Idaho Partnership.  The Eastern Idaho Partnership is a collaborative effort among local communities, law enforcement, the State of Idaho, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho.  The Partners combine efforts to fund and support a Special Assistant United States Attorney, or “SAUSA.”  The SAUSA, Bryan Wheat, works with local prosecutors and law enforcement to prosecute serious local crimes in federal court.  The Partnership focuses its efforts on regional drug trafficking, gun and gang violence, internet based crimes against children, and other serious crimes with a federal nexus that affect the southeast Idaho region. 

 “I applaud all of the agencies involved in this investigation and prosecution for a job well done,” said Bingham County Prosecutor Cleve Colson, who is also the chair of the Eastern Idaho Partnership.  “The prosecution of Chanel Bistodeau and Nicholas Olsen through the Eastern Idaho Partnership is a clear illustration of its effectiveness in creating stronger and safer communities in eastern Idaho.  The partnership has been a tremendous success and I look forward to its continued growth.”

“I am so pleased with the cooperative efforts between federal, state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in working together to reduce drug and gun crimes in Idaho.  I applaud the Eastern Idaho Partnership for the concern they have for keeping their communities safe and am honored to work with them hand-in-hand,” U.S. Attorney Bart Davis said.