Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

BOISE — Joshua Allen Ward, 34, of Emmett, Idaho, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Ward to forfeit the firearm. He was found guilty on August 7, 2012, after a court trial.

According to court documents, Ward was previously convicted of aggravated assault on May 2, 2007, in Ada County, Idaho. He was sentenced to serve a minimum term of three years in the state penitentiary and was paroled in November 2010. On January 25, 2011, Ward’s parole officer, assisted by members of the Gem County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Ward at his residence for a parole violation. During a search of the residence, officers found a 9 millimeter semi–automatic pistol and assorted ammunition in Ward’s bedroom. At his parole revocation hearing in February 2011, Ward admitted to knowingly possessing the firearm in violation of the terms of his parole. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

"Working with our State and local partners to combat violent crime and keep guns out of the hands of violent offenders is a top priority for ATF," said Kelvin Crenshaw, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Seattle Field Division. "Today’s sentencing of Ward as an armed career criminal is another excellent example of the importance of law enforcement partnerships and their effectiveness in protecting the safety and security of communities."

The case was investigated by the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.