U.S. Attorney Hurwit Highlights Success of Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative

Press Release

Three Defendants to Serve a Combined 22 Years in Prison for Federal Firearms Offenses

BOISE - U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate firearms and ammunition cases in Southern Idaho today that were prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

"Our mission is to keep Idahoans safe from violence, and this means enforcing the law that prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms and/or ammunition, especially those offenders with prior violent felony convictions such as these defendants," said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. "I am grateful to our prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for their dedication to these critical cases, which help keep Idaho a safe and wonderful place to live."

1. Convicted Felon and Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 87 Months for Unlawfully Possessing Firearms, Including a Ghost Gun.

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A photograph of the ghost gun in Logan's possession.

In one case, Brent Logan, 35, of Boise, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford to 87 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court records, in the winter of 2023, officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Logan was found in possession of five firearms, including a personally manufactured firearm, also known as a ghost gun. At the time of the offense, Logan was on probation for two prior convictions involving domestic violence and was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault.

Judge Brailsford also ordered Logan to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Logan pleaded guilty to the federal charge in December 2023.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Violent Crimes Unit of the Boise Police Department and the ATF for their investigation on this case.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler.

1. Garden Valley Man Sentenced to 66 months for Unlawfully Possessing Ammunition.

In another case, Forest Saba, 39, of Garden Valley, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford to 66 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of ammunition. According to court records, on September 28, 2022, Boise police officers were providing an escort to Saba's estranged wife due to domestic violence and stalking concerns. Officers observed a vehicle following the wife. Saba was a passenger in this vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and Saba fled on foot. Officers eventually arrested him. In Saba's pocket, officers located ammunition and two knives.

At the time of his arrest, Saba was prohibited from possessing ammunition due to three prior felony convictions, including a conviction for aggravated battery. This is Saba's third federal firearms conviction.

Judge Brailsford also ordered Saba to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. The district court found Saba guilty after a stipulated bench trial in October 2023.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Boise Police Department and the ATF, which led to the charge.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis Zebari and Christian Nafzger.

1. Nyssa Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Unlawfully Possessing Ammunition.

In a third case, Oscar Garcia, 38, of Nyssa, Oregon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford to 120 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of ammunition. According to court records, on December 22, 2022, officers attempted to arrest Garcia on a warrant for violations of his supervised release. He refused to pull over in Payette, Idaho and began a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 110 mph. He drove into Oregon and crashed his vehicle in Nyssa and attempted to flee on foot. He was ultimately apprehended and searched. He possessed a .40 caliber magazine containing 14 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

At the time of his arrest, Garcia was prohibited from possessing ammunition due to a 2011 conviction in the U.S. District Court, District of Idaho, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Garcia had previously been convicted in Oregon of manslaughter I, assault II, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, escape III, and assault IV.

Judge Brailsford also ordered Garcia to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence and pay a $1,000 fine. Garcia pleaded guilty to the federal charge in October 2023.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit credited the United States Marshal Service, the Malheur County Sheriff's Office, the Ontario Police Department, the Fruitland Police Department, the Payette County Sheriff's Office, the Nyssa Police Department, and the ATF, for their collaborative work on this case.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Nafzger.

These three cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The Logan case was prosecuted by 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.

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Updated April 18, 2024