Federal firearms charges should always be taken very seriously. Federal firearms offenses encompass a broad range of criminal activity including the possession of a gun that is not registered to trafficking. According to one recent report, a 29-year-old California man is currently experiencing just how serious federal prosecutors take weapons crimes.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office in Sacramento, California, the man was indicted on at least one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The ex-offender is accused of allegedly possessing a Ruger 9 millimeter pistol in early September.
The man accused of the crime already has multiple felony convictions. His past crimes include receiving stolen property, battery by a prisoner, carrying a concealed weapon, drug charges, being a felon in possession of a firearm and evading a police officer. The present charges stem from the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which seeks to fight crimes related to guns and gangs.
Being a felon in the possession of a firearm may seem like an incidental crime with a rather modest penalty but the realty is far different. The sentence is a 10-year stint in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Anyone charged with this crime should consult with legal counsel immediately.
Sometimes a good defense attorney can negotiate a good outcome. A plea deal is often times a party’s best defense, especially when the facts are not in the person’s favor. An exchange of information or even a guilty plea is often times all it takes. Before taking an agreement, however, it is important to discuss every option available with counsel first.
Source: Modbee.com, “Modesto felon indicted on gun charge,” Sept. 24, 2012