BOISE - Jocelin Jessica Gonzalez, 19, and Elizabeth Ann Gaytan, 37, both from Nampa, Idaho, were sentenced today for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Gonzalez to 40 months imprisonment. Judge Lodge sentenced Gaytan to 100 months imprisonment and ordered both Gaytan and Gonzalez to serve three years of supervised release following their terms of imprisonment. Gonzalez and Gaytan both pleaded guilty on May 5, 2016.
Gaytan and Gonzalez were indicted together as part of a case involving eleven co-conspirators who acted in concert to distribute methamphetamine, synthetic narcotics, heroin and prescription pills. They are the first two conspirators to be sentenced. The leader of the conspiracy, Stacy Duane Wilfong, 39, of Boise, Idaho, pleaded guilty on June 2, 2016 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 4, 2016.
In approximately January 2015, law enforcement agents began investigating ongoing drug distribution by Wilfong and others. Wilfong and his co-conspirators acted together to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, bath salts, and pills including oxycodone and hydromorphone in the Treasure Valley. Wilfong and Gonzalez were arrested on Aug. 25, 2015 in Jackpot, Nevada. Law enforcement agents found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine in Gonzalez’s backpack. Agents searched Wilfong’s vehicle and located nineteen grams of a synthetic controlled substance called Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, known as "a-PVP," or “bath salts." During the search of the vehicle, agents located three firearms and approximately $10,000.
According to the plea agreement, Gaytan sold methamphetamine to undercover police officers on nine occasions and offered to sell stolen firearms as well. In total, Gaytan sold approximately one-half pound of methamphetamine to officers. In March of 2015, Gaytan was stabbed thirty-seven times during a drug-related argument. After her release from the hospital, she continued to sell methamphetamine to undercover officers.
In addition to Gaytan and Gonzalez, three other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Wilfong is scheduled for sentencing on October 4, 2016. Regina Wade, 50, of Boise pleaded guilty on May 19, 2016, and is scheduled for sentencing on August 9, 2016. Anthony James Kitchen, 47, of Nampa, Idaho pleaded guilty on June 30, 2016, and is scheduled for sentencing on October 4, 2016. Two co-defendants have filed notices indicating their intent to plead guilty. Breeannyn Nicole Pederson, 25, of Parma, Idaho and Isela F. Garza, 36, of Nampa, Idaho are scheduled to enter their guilty pleas in court on August 4 and Aug. 14, 2016, respectively. The remaining four co-conspirators who are currently scheduled for trial on October 4, 2016, are David Anthony Wales, 31, of Boise, John Matthew Caviness, Jr., 34, of Caldwell, Adam William Dillon, 28, of Nampa, and Jason Lee Burgess, 44, of Garden City.
These cases are the result of a joint investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime 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. The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), includes the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and U.S. Marshals Service. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
These cases are 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
