Illegal Gun Possessor and Drug Dealer Sentenced

BOISE - Zane Dewey Dinger, 33, previously of Caldwell, Idaho, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge to 60 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.  Judge Lodge also ordered that the defendant forfeit the firearm and ammunition.  Previously, on May 3, 2018, the defendant pled guilty to the offense pursuant to a written plea agreement.

According to court records, on December 29, 2017, law enforcement officers were preparing to serve a search warrant at Dinger’s residence in Caldwell.  The officers observed Dinger driving and stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation.  Dinger initially refused to obey the command by officers to exit the vehicle and show his hands.  Dinger repeatedly reached inside the vehicle before placing his hands outside of the vehicle before he eventually complied and exited the vehicle.  Officers recovered 23.5 grams of methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, and a Phoenix Arms Company, Model HP22, .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol underneath the driver’s seat.  Officers also recovered a box of .22 caliber ammunition from Dinger’s person.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Caldwell Police Department.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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