California Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearm Violations

BOISE – Ronald Eugene Bohm, 50, from California, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a machinegun, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  Bohm was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2015. 

According to the plea agreement, on July 26, 2015, Meridian Police Officers searched Bohm’s residence in Meridian, Idaho.  In the master bedroom closet, officers found approximately 63 grams of methamphetamine and $1,122.  Officers also located a digital scale in the master bedroom.  Police officers found numerous firearms and firearm components in the residence including a drop in auto sear, which is a combination of parts designed to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic machine gun.  Other firearms located in the residence include two AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, five AR-15 receivers, a .22 caliber rifle with a shortened barrel, and a 7.62X54 millimeter rifle with a shortened barrel.  The government is seeking forfeiture of the firearms and firearm components.   

The charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute is punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and up to forty years, a maximum fine of $5 million, and a minimum term of four years supervised release.  Bohm’s possession of an unregistered machinegun is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.  Bohm is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2016, by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.  The co-defendant, Constance Bohm, is scheduled for trial on January 25, 2016.

This case was investigated by the Meridian Police Department and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force.  The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime 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 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.