Nampa Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison in Meth Trafficking Case

BOISE—Daniel Eric Vaughan, 52, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced today to 80 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Vaughan to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison. Vaughan pleaded guilty to the charge on November 18, 2013.

According to information presented in court, Vaughan and other co-defendants agreed to distribute methamphetamine. Vaughan admitted that he was aware of the ongoing distribution of methamphetamine from his residence and that he helped to distribute the methamphetamine. Vaughan has two prior convictions for felony drug offenses from 2003.

Vaughan and 10 other individuals were indicted on July 9, 2013, in a case including charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, and unlawful possession of firearms. All 11 defendants have pleaded guilty, including defendant Jeramie Mahler, who pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Vaughan is the fourth defendant to be sentenced; co-defendants Wendy Harrison and Bobbi Eileen Woolsey were both sentenced previously to 84 months in prison and Nearia Pinnell was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the Nampa Police Department. The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force is composed 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 case is 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 comprised 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.