Ryan Basnaw, 29, of Meridian, pleaded guilty to federal program bribery, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced on Mar. 30.
The case highlights the importance of integrity in the process for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Idaho and the consequences of attempting to bypass legal requirements.
Court records show that Basnaw offered $500 cash to a CDL skills tester on July 2, 2025, in exchange for a passing score without taking the required test. This was done with the intent to influence and reward the tester so that Basnaw could have three restrictions removed from his CDL without completing the necessary skills assessment. The Idaho Transportation Department contracts with third-party examiners for CDL testing, and its Department of Motor Vehicles received more than $10,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation under a CDL Program Implementation Grant during 2025.
Basnaw is scheduled for sentencing on June 16, 2026. He faces up to ten years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine as high as $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Davis said he commended “the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Transportation—Office of Inspector General,” which led to charges against Basnaw. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Mazorol prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho has included attorneys who later served in prominent roles such as territorial supreme court justice or state governor,according to its official website. The office functions under federal authority and executes prosecutions and civil matters on behalf of the United States throughout Idaho,according to its official website. It employs about sixty staff members—including assistant attorneys—and focuses on enforcing federal laws through prosecutions and civil litigation,as stated by its official website. Joshua D. Hurwit has served as U.S. Attorney for this district,according to information available online, overseeing operations across both major cities and rural areas through main and branch offices.Official sources confirm this jurisdictional reach.
The broader implication is an emphasis on maintaining fair practices within licensing systems funded by federal grants—a point underscored by recent enforcement actions taken by authorities.
