Investigation Leads to Federal Indictment of Former President of Devil’s Disciples Motorcycle Club |
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Topics: Devil’s Disciples
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U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Idaho
10 August 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOISE – Scott Arlis Thomas, 42, of Caldwell, Idaho, made an initial appearance today for the crimes of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearm by a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. A federal grand jury indicted Thomas on July 14, 2016.
The two count indictment alleges that on May 13, 2016, Thomas, who had been convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine in 2011, possessed a rifle and on the same date, possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. At the time of the indictment, Thomas was the president of the local chapter of the Devil’s Disciples Motorcycle Club.
Thomas appeared in court for the first time today and entered not guilty pleas to both charges. Trial is scheduled for October 17, 2016, at the federal courthouse in Boise before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. The charge of unlawfully possessing or transferring a firearm is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The government is seeking forfeiture of the firearms and other property used to commit the offenses.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Caldwell Police Department, the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Task Force was created approximately eleven years ago and 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 Task Force conducts complex long-term investigation of criminal gangs.
The charges are being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 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.
An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.