Santiago Prieto, 65, a resident of Nampa, has been sentenced to 52 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. This sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.
Court documents reveal that in January 2024, Prieto placed an emergency call. When paramedics arrived at his hotel, Prieto refused to open his door and gunshots were heard from inside. Law enforcement responded and reported another shot fired from the room. Officers managed to negotiate Prieto's safe exit, disarmed, and arrested him after he admitted to shooting from the window. Inside the room, police found a 9mm pistol and shell casings.
At the time, Prieto was on parole for a felony arson conviction, and his criminal history prohibited him from firearm possession. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Prieto to three additional years of supervised release post-prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the Boise Police Department for de-escalating the situation, stating, “This case highlights how dangerous it is for the community when violent offenders have access to firearms.” The cooperation between the Boise Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Ada County Prosecutor's Office was also acknowledged.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Manweiler, who focuses on gang-related offenses as part of her role with the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho.
This sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that combines law enforcement and community efforts to reduce violent crime and enhance safety. The initiative emphasizes trust, community support, strategic enforcement, and measuring its outcomes to ensure effectiveness.