Evan Nickolai Ernstson, a 48-year-old resident of Boise, has been sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott. Ernstson, originally from San Francisco, California, led a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and cocaine between October 2023 and March 2024. Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Ernstson to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay a $2,000 fine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a lengthy investigation that included a wiretap and resulted in the seizure of ten pounds of methamphetamine, a kilogram of cocaine, and four firearms. Ernstson was arrested on March 20, 2024, as he returned to Idaho from the Portland, Oregon area with a load of methamphetamine and cocaine. At the time of his arrest, he was armed with a loaded 9mm handgun.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned that approximately $65,000 in drug proceeds were stolen from Ernstson while he was out of town. DEA agents intercepted communications revealing Ernstson's plan to kidnap and torture two individuals to recover the stolen money. Agents intervened, thwarted the kidnapping plan, and recovered approximately $42,000.
Ernstson is the third member of his drug trafficking organization to receive a prison sentence. Co-defendant Eva Spikes was sentenced to five years in prison on November 5, 2024, for distributing methamphetamine. Co-defendant Leandru Stephens received a five-year sentence on December 11, 2024, for similar charges. Four other co-defendants have pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking charges and are scheduled for sentencing in May 2025.
In addition to Ernstson's sentencing, the investigation led to the conviction of three other individuals involved in drug trafficking. Dustin Wyatt Peymon received a 33-month prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine, Kristine Marie Shern was sentenced to three years' probation for misprision of a felony, and Brian Earl Polk received a 77-month prison sentence alongside four years of supervised release.
"Our federal and state partners work together tirelessly to ensure that drug traffickers, especially those who are violent or armed, find no safe harbor in Idaho," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
"Mr. Ernstson led a drug trafficking ring that not only poisoned Idaho with large quantities of methamphetamine and other drugs, but was poised to kidnap and torture to further his criminal enterprise," said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle. "This lengthy sentence ensures our community’s safety and demonstrates law enforcement’s steadfast resolve to protect our citizens from people like Mr. Ernstson."
The successful prosecution was the result of coordinated efforts by agencies including the DEA, the Boise Police Department, the Nampa Police Special Investigations Unit, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin C. Blackadar and Christian S. Nafzger.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which targets high-level drug traffickers and other transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States.
