Nampa Man Sentenced To 168 Months In Prison For Drug And Gun Charges

BOISE – Darrell Ray Zirschky, 32, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Zirschky to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison. Zirschky pleaded guilty to the charges on November 15, 2013.

According to information presented in court, Zirschky agreed to help others distribute methamphetamine beginning in approximately January 2013. Zirschky participated in the on-going distribution of methamphetamine until April 2013. Zirschky was present on March 25, 2013, when co-defendant Jeramie Mahler shot another person during the course of the drug conspiracy. Zirschky was later arrested by the United States Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force (GIFTF) on April 9, 2013, on an outstanding arrest warrant. When agents arrested Zirschky they found a 9-millimeter handgun in his possession. Zirschky is prohibited from possessing firearms because he was previously convicted of the felony crimes of possessing a controlled substance in 2001, delivery of a controlled substance in 2001, and lewd conduct with a minor in 2004.

Zirschky and ten other individuals were indicted on July 9, 2013, in a case including charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, and unlawful possession of firearms. The defendants are responsible for distributing pounds of methamphetamine within the community. During the investigation, law enforcement agents seized twelve firearms, including a stolen firearm, and an illegal fully-automatic machine gun. All eleven defendants have pleaded guilty, including defendant Jeramie Mahler, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Zirschky is the fifth defendant to be sentenced; co-defendants Wendy Harrison and Bobbi Eileen Woolsey were both sentenced previously to 84 months in prison and Nearia Pinnell was sentenced to 33 months in prison; Daniel Vaughan was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which 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. Other agencies that contributed to this investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.