BOISE — Four individuals, including a Pocatello woman, pleaded guilty Monday in a federal courtroom to conspiring together to distribute methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. Those who entered such a plead are Nina Ann Lucas, 32, of Pocatello, Darin Scott Melton, 44, of Twin Falls, Lisa Rochel Samayoa, 45, of Boise, and Omar Riveroll-Hernandez, 32, of Long Beach, Calif.

     On September 12, 2012, a federal grand jury indicted the above defendants.

    The indictment, along with 13 others, were the result of a long-term investigation by those with the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, according to a news release. The investigation focused on illegal drug distribution by the “Aryan Knights,” a gang active 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.

     “Methamphetamine is a dangerous and addictive drug that destroys lives and harms Idaho communities,” Olson said. “These four defendants face severe consequences for choosing to traffic methamphetamine for personal profit. This office and federal, state and local law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute drug traffickers.” 

    The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 6 by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.    

    The charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by a maximum fine of $10 million, up to life in prison and a minimum term of five years probation upon release.

     The cases were the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, which included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, a task force comprised of federal, state and local agencies, including the Boise Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; the Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, and District 3 Probation and Parole. 

     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 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 www.treasurevalleypartners.org.

    Olson indicated that her office had a strong record of prosecuting methamphetamine cases in 2012, with 73 defendants sentenced in Idaho federal courtrooms crimes related to methamphetamine distribution.