Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge

BOISE – Adamsely Mendoza Mercado, 40, of Nampa, Idaho, pleaded guilty yesterday to distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced.  A federal grand jury indicted Mercado on September 14, 2017.  The superseding indictment alleged that Mercado distributed over fifty grams of actual methamphetamine.

According to statements made at the hearing, law enforcement used an undercover officer to arrange the purchase of three ounces of methamphetamine from Mercado.  The officer met the defendant at his residence in Nampa, Idaho.  The officer provided the defendant with cash and the defendant provided the officer with three ounces of methamphetamine.  The Idaho State Police Forensics Lab determined over fifty grams was pure methamphetamine.

Distribution of methamphetamine is punishable by at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, at least five years of supervised release, a $10,000,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Sentencing is set for March 28, 2018, in front of Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise. 

This case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Boise Police Department; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Caldwell Police Department; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole.