Bart Thomas Martin, a 29-year-old from Meridian, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for drug trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and obstruction of justice. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.
Court records reveal that Martin ran a drug trafficking operation where he received large quantities of drugs through the mail and distributed them in Idaho. In April 2024, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service arrested Martin with approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine. Following his arrest, Martin attempted to have evidence removed from his apartment through a phone call made from jail. Investigators later seized a safe from his apartment containing significant amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine along with five firearms.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit highlighted the collaboration between federal and state law enforcement agencies in Idaho as key to this case's success: “This case is an excellent example of the successful cooperation between federal and state law enforcement here in Idaho,” he said.
Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti commented on the impact of traffickers like Martin on communities: “Traffickers like Martin and their operations continue to wreak havoc on our communities,” he stated.
Investigations Lieutenant Jack Catlin of the Idaho State Police emphasized their commitment to tackling drug-related crimes: “The Idaho State Police remains dedicated to working alongside federal partners to bring individuals to justice and to protect our communities from the dangers of illicit drugs.”
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered that Martin complete four years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis Zebari and is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.