BOISE – Alexander Christian Gruber, 20, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for possession and distribution of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Gruber to serve three years of supervised release. Gruber pleaded guilty on September 15, 2015.
According to court proceedings, Gruber was arrested in Boise, Idaho, on January 20, 2015. Boise police officers arrested Gruber after he sold Dilaudid pills and a sawed-off shotgun to an undercover agent. Earlier in January 2015, Gruber offered to sell cocaine to a confidential informant, but it turned out to be methamphetamine. At the time Gruber possessed and sold the short-barrel shotgun, he was a prohibited as a convicted felon from possessing any firearm. The weapon made from the shotgun was not registered as required. Gruber admitted he possessed the methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. He also admitted that he sold the firearm, and possessed other firearms.
“These penalties handed down by the federal court for possession of meth with intent to distribute it and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon are appropriate despite the young age of the defendant,” said Olson. “While special consideration is given by the courts to young defendants like Gruber, the penalties are appropriate because of society’s concerns about persons who traffic in harmful drugs and use firearms.”
The case was investigated by the Boise Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.