Source: United States Department of Justice News
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against residents of Everett, Washington, Brian Ulises Rangel, 21, and Martin Velazquez, 29, charging Rangel with being a felon in possession of a firearm and Velazquez with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 15. 2022, law enforcement officers in Fresno County conducted a traffic stop on a car occupied by Rangel and Velazquez. Because neither individual had a valid driver’s license, the car was towed. During a search of the car, two firearms (one stolen and the other with an obliterated serial number) and ammunition were found.
Both defendants are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of previous convictions in the state of Washington. Rangel was convicted for possession with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine and Velazquez was convicted for unlawful firearm possession.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face a minimum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.