Friday, December 18, 2020

Eastern Idaho Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Headquarters 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian, ID 83642

For Immediate Release: December 18, 2020 10:30 a.m.
Please direct questions to the ISP Public Affairs Office isppio@isp.idaho.gov.

The Idaho State Police has an active criminal investigations division. ISP detectives work with troopers on patrol and partner agencies to aggressively pursue those who distribute illegal drugs throughout Idaho. The goal is to protect individuals and communities from harm and crime rooted in the illegal drug trade. ISP is grateful to partner agencies for their assistance and support in these cases, including the expert work of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

If you have a tip on illegal drug activity, call the Idaho Drug Tip Hotline 1-800-524-7277.

Attached and copied below is a release from the Office of the U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis, District of Idaho.


Eastern Idaho Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison


POCATELLO - Richard A. Burns, 37, of St. Anthony, Idaho, was sentenced in U.S.
District Court to 210 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute
methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn
Winmill also ordered Burns to serve five years of supervised release following his prison
sentence. Burns pleaded guilty to the charge on December 4, 2019.

According to court records, on May 11, 2019, an Idaho State Police trooper stopped
Burns and a co-defendant on the interstate in Pocatello. While the trooper spoke with the codefendant,
Burns' got into the driver's seat and fled, taking police on a high-speed chase.
Ultimately, Burns crashed the car in Blackfoot and escaped on foot. Officers searched the vehicle
and found over three pounds of methamphetamine located in a bag under the front passenger
floorboard. Additionally, officers found two loaded 9mm handguns in the car.

Officers later apprehended Burns on June 5, 2019, after Idaho State Police detectives
located him traveling to Boise. Officers spiked Burns' vehicle near Carey, Idaho. After searching
Burns' car, officers found almost a pound of methamphetamine; along with digital scales, clean
plastic baggies, a drug ledger, and a 9mm pistol. Burns later confessed to dealing drugs
throughout Idaho.

This case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration,
Bannock County Sheriff's Office, Blackfoot Police Department, Bingham County Sheriff's
Office, Bonneville County Sherriff's Office, and Idaho Falls Police Department.
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