Ponzo Indicted in Boise on Firearms and Identity Theft Charges

BOISE, ID—Enrico Michael Ponzo, also known as “Jay Shaw,” 43, formerly of Marsing, Idaho, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on Tuesday on multiple counts of unlawfully possessing firearms and identity theft, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today. Ponzo is currently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service in the District of Massachusetts, where he awaits trial on federal charges, including RICO, conspiracy to murder, and attempted murder.

The indictment filed yesterday alleges that in September 2010, Ponzo unlawfully possessed one firearm and in February 2011, he unlawfully possessed 33 other firearms. The indictment further alleges that Ponzo possessed with intent to use unlawfully five or more identification documents between March 1995 and February 8, 2011. The indictment further alleges that between September 1993 and February 2011, Ponzo possessed and used a means of identification of nine other people. The indictment further alleges that in February 2011, Ponzo possessed two identification documents, which had been stolen or produced without lawful authority, in the names of other individuals. The indictment contains an allegation seeking forfeiture of real and personal property and currency constituting proceeds of unlawful activity.

Each count of unlawful possession of a firearm, as charged in counts one through four of the indictment, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The charge of possession with intent to use five or more documents or authentication features, as charged in count five, is punishable by up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The charge of aggravated identity theft, as charged in counts six through 14, is punishable by a mandatory term of two years in prison, to run consecutively, a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. The charge of identity theft, as charged in counts 15 and 16, is punishable by up to one year in prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, and up to five years of probation.

The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force.

For further information regarding Ponzo’s charges in the District of Massachusetts, please see the press release issued on February 8, 2011, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.

An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.