BOISE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
BOISE – Steven L. Lantz, 43, of Nampa, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Lantz to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court records, on January 21, 2020, law enforcement used a confidential informant to arrange the purchase of approximately two ounces of methamphetamine from Lantz. Lantz met the informant in Meridian and entered the informant’s vehicle. Lantz and the informant then drove to Boise, where Lantz obtained methamphetamine and sold it to the informant. Lantz pleaded guilty to the charge on May 12, 2021.
Lantz has a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions for domestic violence and robbery. At the time of this offense, Lantz was out on parole for the robbery conviction. Lantz has also been documented as a member of the Aryan Knights prison gang.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez applauded the efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction, Bureau of Probation and Parole.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was 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.
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