NAMPA, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
A man has been sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison for selling guns and drugs out of his Nampa nursery.
Sergio Cisneros-Guzman, also known as Salomon Hernandez Medina, a 49-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Nampa, on multiple occasions sold methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers at Rolling Hills Nursery, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office. Cisneros-Guzman also sold undercover officers an AR-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine, the news release stated.
A search of the Nampa nursery resulted in the seizure of an additional 100 grams of methamphetamine, 11 firearms and $117,264 in cash, the release added.
Cisneros-Guzman, who owned the nursery, property and a home on the property, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He also agreed to forfeit Rolling Hills Nursery, his home and property, $117,264 in U.S. currency, 11 firearms, magazines and high-capacity magazines and miscellaneous ammunition.
Because Cisneros-Guzman is a Mexican citizen who was illegally present in the U.S., he will be deported after serving his 16-year sentence, the release said.
“Cisneros-Guzman operated with blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of all Idahoans,” Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said in the release. “Drugs and violence have devastated too many families in the Treasure Valley. When law enforcement combines resources and expertise, we can take back our communities from dangerous drug traffickers like Cisneros‑Guzman.”
The FBI-led Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force in early 2021 began investigating reports that Cisneros-Guzman was trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine and firearms out of Rolling Hills Nursery. Between June 2021 and June 2023, officers conducted six undercover drug purchases at the nursery totaling approximately 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of meth, along with the AR-style rifle and high-capacity magazine. The evidence was seized in June 2023.
A U.S. Attorney's office spokesperson said the office can not speak to how long authorities believe Cisneros-Guzman was running the drugs and firearms operation.
The release said that when Cisneros-Guzman sold undercover law enforcement the rifle, he said, "One thing is for sure, if you are involved in a massacre, don’t tell no one who sold it to you. If you want to use it, make sure to clean your fingerprints from the rifle and the ammo.”
“Removing this defendant from our community is a win for Idaho and reflects the strong partnerships between our office and federal and local law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney for Idaho Josh Hurwit said in the release. “We will not tolerate criminals illegally entering our country and then enriching themselves by distributing dangerous drugs and trafficking firearms in Idaho.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.