POCATELLO - Brian Kim Southam, 36, of Rigby, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Southam was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pocatello on Sept. 22, 2015.
According to the plea agreement, Southam admitted that on Aug. 3, 2015, he unlawfully possessed four handguns, including a Taurus.380 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer.45 caliber pistol, a Canik55 9mm pistol, and a Ruger.22 caliber pistol. He also admitted that he possessed with intent to distribute more than 1,200 grams of actual methamphetamine, recovered from his storage unit. The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance in Bannock County, Idaho. Madison County Sheriff's deputies arrested the defendant on Aug. 3, 2015, after he was found in possession of a vehicle reported stolen out of Butte, Montana.
The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 1,200 grams of methamphetamine is punishable by 10 years to life in prison, a maximum fine of $10,000,000.00, and up to five years of supervised release.
Sentencing is set for May 20, 2016, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.
The case was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This case was prosecuted by an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Pocatello, with sentencing handled by the new Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Eastern Idaho Partnership and the State of Idaho. The Eastern Idaho Special Assistant U.S. Attorney was hired to bolster ongoing efforts to prosecute regional drug trafficking, gun and gang violence, internet based crimes against children, and other serious crimes with a federal nexus. The Eastern Idaho Partnership is a collaboration of elected officials and law enforcement from 11 counties and 18 cities across eastern Idaho, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Correction and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
