BOISE – Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in southern Idaho.
“These defendants are facing the consequences of engaging in drug trafficking in Idaho,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Anyone else thinking of trafficking drugs in Idaho should pay attention. Our strong law enforcement partnerships will continue to detect drug trafficking in Idaho and our prosecutors will continue to ensure that justice is served.”
- Washington Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to 14.5 Years in Federal Prison
In one case, Zechariah Scott Chadwick, 37, of Poulsbo, Washington, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, to 14.5 years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others.
According to court records, on January 17, 2024, Chadwick was driving on US Highway 93 through Twin Falls County when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a snowbank. When deputies arrived to assist, they observed signs that Chadwick was under the influence of a drug. After observing drug paraphernalia, deputies searched his vehicle and located four large tightly wrapped packages containing a total of 2.73 pounds of blue fentanyl pills marked M/30. Deputies also found six brown packages containing a total of 8.81 pounds of methamphetamine. In addition to the drugs, deputies found a loaded .40 caliber handgun. The investigation revealed that Chadwick had left Las Vegas and was taking these drugs to Washington when he was arrested in Idaho.
Chadwick’s criminal history includes state crimes involving theft and violence. In 2016 he was convicted of a felony drive-by shooting in Washington for which he served 78 months in a Washington prison. Chadwick was also convicted of a felony residential burglary in 2023.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Chadwick to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their collaboration in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Booker prosecuted this case.
- Boise Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine
In a separate case, Nathan Gamble, 47, of Boise, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court records, Gamble was part of a drug trafficking organization operating out of eastern Oregon and western Idaho. This drug trafficking organization was responsible for trafficking hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine in Idaho and Oregon. Gamble was identified as a member of the organization after he sold another person three pounds of methamphetamine on November 16, 2023.
Gamble has a criminal history that includes a state conviction for delivery of methamphetamine in Oregon and multiple state convictions for trafficking in methamphetamine in Idaho. Gamble was on state parole for one of his trafficking of methamphetamine convictions while he was distributing the methamphetamine that led to this federal conviction.
U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Gamble to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Gamble pleaded guilty to the offense in August 2024.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the collaborative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, 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 prosecuted this case.
- Mexican National Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Drugs and Unlawfully Possessing Firearms
In a third case, Ivan Cortez-Monarrez, 41, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced to 123 months and 11 days in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to court records, the FBI-led Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force began investigating reports that Cortez-Monarrez was working with a Mexican cartel to distribute drugs from Arizona into the Treasure Valley. In the summer of 2023, law enforcement conducted an operation that resulted in obtaining approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine and three firearms from Cortez-Monarrez. Cortez-Monarrez had previously been removed from the United States in January 2021 but was found illegally living in Idaho at the time he committed the offenses.
Cortez-Monarrez pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2024. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford noted that Cortez-Monarrez had no connection to Idaho or the United States. She further commented on Cortez-Monarrez dealing drugs at the expense of destroying lives. Because Cortez-Monarrez is a Mexican citizen who was illegally present in the United States, he will be deported after serving his prison sentence.
“Like other drug traffickers, Cortez-Monarrez had no regard for the harm he caused the people of the Treasure Valley,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “His sentencing is an example of what can be achieved when law enforcement at all levels works together. Illicit drugs have caused too much pain and devastation in our communities, and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force is actively working to keep Idahoans safe.”
“This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Mexican drug cartels to infiltrate communities across the United States and poison our citizens with illicit drugs,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “Thankfully, our strong partnerships in the Treasure Valley among our state, local, and federal partners allow us to fight this type of criminality head-on. I’m thankful for the dedicated work of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and U.S. Attorney Hurwit’s office for putting this defendant in prison. I’m hopeful it sends a message to other criminals that we will stop at nothing to find you and hold you accountable for your actions.”
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force for its efforts in this case. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction. In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) assisted in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler prosecuted this case.
The Special Assistant U.S. Attorney was 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.
The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles 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).
The Gamble and Cortez-Monarrez 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.
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