Lucio Esparza Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison

Lucio Esparza, 27, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following his pleas of guilty to federal drug and gun offenses, U.S. Attorney Tom Moss announced.

Lucio and his father, Alfredo Esparza, Sr., were arrested December 6, 2007, in Caldwell following a multi-agency investigation into their drug trafficking activities. At the time of his arrest, Lucio was an active member of the West Side Locos criminal street gang. On August 6, 2008, Lucio pled guilty in federal court to two methamphetamine distribution counts and two counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm.

On February 17, 2009, Lucio was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the Federal Courthouse in Boise. Following his prison sentence, Lucio will serve eight years on supervised release. Judge Winmill ordered Lucio to forfeit to the government his interest in his Caldwell residence, several vehicles, firearms, and additional property and currency since those items were acquired with drug proceeds. Judge Winmill also imposed a $2,000 fine and ordered Lucio to pay a $400 special assessment.

Moss praised the sentence and the investigative efforts of the federal and local law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including ATF, DEA, FBI, IRS, ICE, the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, the Ada and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices, and the police departments for the cities of Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, and Meridian.

“This is another important case in reduction of gang violence in the Treasure Valley,” Moss said.

The prosecution was part of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which seeks to reduce gun violence.