Twin Falls Man Admits To Unlawfully Possessing Firearms

BOISE – Ronnie M. Preal, 42, of Twin Falls, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to unlawfully possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to the plea agreement, officers with the Twin Falls Police Department and Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at Preal’s residence on January 3, 2014. During the search, officers found a 10-gauge shotgun and a 9 millimeter pistol. Preal admitted that he possessed the firearms. Preal is prohibited from possessing firearms because he was previously convicted of manslaughter in California in 1996.

The charge is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The government is seeking forfeiture of the firearms.

Sentencing is set for October 20, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.

The case was investigated by the Twin Falls Police Department; Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Preal 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.