Two Sentenced for Separate Drug Crimes in Connection with Aryan Knights Investigation

BOISE—U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today the sentencing of Dennis James, 47, of San Pablo, California, and Jesse Ray Delgado, 47, of Boise, Idaho, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants were indicted in separate cases.

Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced James on Monday to 120 months in federal prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, James conspired with a co-defendant to distribute methamphetamine in June 2012. At a court hearing on March 12, 2013, James admitted that he sold approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2012. James faced an enhanced sentence because he was previously convicted of a felony drug offense in 2006. His lengthy criminal history includes voluntary manslaughter. James’ co-defendant, Nicholas Andrew Steele, was sentenced in April to 60 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Delgado today to 168 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to the charge on March 12, 2013. Delgado admitted in court that he entered into a conspiracy with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. He acknowledged that he purchased methamphetamine and distributed it in the Boise area. On February 16, 2012, he sold approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. On March 14, 2012, law enforcement agents served a search warrant on Delgado’s residence and recovered over three ounces of methamphetamine. Delgado faced an enhanced sentence because of his prior conviction for possession of controlled substances in 2001.

The cases are part of the Aryan Knights investigation in which James, Steele, Delgado, and 20 other individuals were charged as a result of a long-term investigation by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force. The investigation began when the task force focused on illegal drug distribution by the Aryan Knights, a gang active both in prison and on the streets throughout Idaho. Through the investigation, law enforcement agents identified Aryan Knights gang members who were trafficking methamphetamine, as well as associates of the gang who were the source of that methamphetamine.

All 23 defendants have pleaded guilty, 17 have been sentenced, and six are awaiting sentencing.

The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes 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 joint investigation also included the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a cooperative law enforcement effort 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 Aryan Knights 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 composed 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.