Anthony John Austin, a documented member of a Boise street gang, was sentenced toserve 101 months in federal prison
Anthony John Austin, a documented member of a Boise street gang, was sentenced toserve 101 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine andfor using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Austin was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership under its SAUSA program. Austin's prosecution was also part of Idaho's Project Safe Neighborhoods Anti-Gang Initiative, designed to reduce gun violence in the state." Today's sentencing proves that the Treasure Valley now has an effective tool to combat gang activity," Boise Mayor David Bieter said. "The length of this sentence should send a message to other gang members that this type of activity will not be tolerated in our community."Austin, 27, was indicted on Feb. 13 after an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Boise City Police Department's Gang Unit. He pleaded guilty to both crimes in federal court on July 7. He was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the Federal Courthouse in Boise.Despite Austin's lack of prior felonies, the combination of guns, drugs and gang activity
resulted in the lengthy prison sentence. Federal law mandates a five-year prison sentence when afirearm is used in connection with drug trafficking activities. The five-year term will be servedconsecutively to the drug sentence.
