Fort Hall Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Second Degree Murder

POCATELLO – Demetrius Anthony Gomez, 30, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised released for second degree murder, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Gomez to pay a $5,000 fine.

On January 5, 2017, a jury found Gomez guilty of one count of second degree murder. Evidence at trial showed that on May 9, 2016, Gomez was at a residence along with some friends and family. At the residence, he shot and killed his cousin at close range with a sawed off shotgun. He did so deliberately, intentionally, and unprovoked. He then took steps to hide the body and conceal the murder from law enforcement.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez, “this case was a senseless and cowardly attack during a party. Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family. We hope that the severe sentence in this case serves as a deterrent to others and prevent more senseless violence in our community.” I commend the dedication and professionalism of the officers and detectives of the Fort Hall Police Department and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who investigated the case.” Gonzalez added, “this sentence should serve as an indication that the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will do everything possible to keep the Fort Hall community a safe and peaceful place to live.”

The case was investigated by the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.