Justin D. Whatcott Acting United States Attorney for the District of Idaho | Department of Justice
Edwin Reyes-Parra, a 22-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl while possessing a firearm. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
According to court records, Reyes-Parra distributed more than four pounds of methamphetamine as well as smaller quantities of fentanyl and fluorofentanyl between June and October 2024. In December 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence, where they found 75.5 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, and $2,000 in cash. Authorities reported that Reyes-Parra attempted to flush drugs down the toilet before officers entered his home. After serving his sentence, Reyes-Parra is expected to be deported due to his lack of legal status in the United States.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott credited the investigation to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Boise Police Department, High Desert Drug Task Force, Oregon State Police, and Payette County Narcotics Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kane Venecia.
"This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program," according to the release. "HIDTA is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney position."
The High Desert Drug Task Force is described as a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force focused on identifying and dismantling drug trafficking organizations through intelligence-driven efforts supported by multiple agencies.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community groups. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone," stated the release. "On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results."