TREASURE VALLEY MAN SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Sommith Syphanh, 36, of Boise, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

Syphanh, who had previously been convicted for robbery in California and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested last December by Boise Airport Police and found to be in possession of a gun and methamphetamine. That same day, ATF agents, Boise City Police Officers, and Ada County Sheriff's Deputies searched his residence, pursuant to a search warrant, and found additional firearms and drugs.

Syphanh pled guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing a firearm. He was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.

Syphanh's prosecution was part of Idaho's Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, which seeks to reduce gun violence.