(Boise, ID) Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of two separate drug distribution cases in southern Idaho.
“These defendants mistakenly thought they could get away with selling substantial quantities of dangerous drugs in the Treasure Valley,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “They have now learned the hard way how the DEA and local law enforcement work so well together to root out drug trafficking in our communities. Anyone else thinking of trafficking drugs in Idaho should pay attention to the results.”
- Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
In one case, Daniel Allen Gonzales, 51, originally from Lynwood, California, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye to 120 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, on May 26, 2023, after a multi-month investigation involving a partnership between several Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies, investigators executed a search warrant at Gonzales’ home and vehicle in Boise. During the search, investigators found approximately one and three-quarter pounds of fentanyl and two pounds of methamphetamine that Gonzales intended to distribute into the community.
Judge Nye also ordered Gonzales to pay a $500 fine and to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Gonzales pleaded guilty to the federal charge in July 2024.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department, and the Boise Police Department for their collaboration in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.
- Meridian Man Convicted of Distribution of Methamphetamine Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison
In a separate case, Charles Grant McReynolds, 57, of Meridian, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison following his conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, on November 29, 2023, McReynolds sold approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to another individual. After the sale, investigators followed him to a nearby hotel parking lot where they arrested him. During the arrest, investigators searched McReynolds’ vehicle and found more than two pounds of methamphetamine, a .45 caliber pistol, and over $10,000 in illicit drug trafficking proceeds. McReynolds told investigators that he intended to purchase more methamphetamine for redistribution after he sold the two pounds investigators found in his vehicle
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered McReynolds to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. McReynolds pleaded guilty to the offense in April 2024.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of DEA, the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, the Boise Police Department, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the High Desert Drug Task Force, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse also prosecuted this case.
“Drug traffickers like Mr. Gonzales and Mr. McReynolds enrich themselves by preying on the vulnerable in our communities and these sentences hold them accountable for their crimes,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners will never stop protecting our communities from those who would seek to poison our people.”
The DEA Boise Office Task Force and High Desert Drug Task Force are both multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces that identify, disrupt, and dismantle local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Both of these prosecutions were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
