March 25, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR FEDERAL FIREARM VIOLATIONS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

DENVER – Miguel Rafael Hernandez, age 32, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger to serve 188 months (over 15 years) in prison for federal firearm violations and methamphetamine trafficking, Acting United States Attorney David Gaouette and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase announced.  Hernandez, who appeared in custody, was remanded.

Miguel Rafael Hernandez was charged first by Criminal Complaint on May 15, 2008.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 2, 2008.  He pled guilty to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute five or more grams of actual methamphetamine, before Judge Krieger on December 29, 2008.  He was sentenced to federal prison yesterday, March 24, 2009.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on May 14, 2008, Colorado Springs Police Department officers went to Hernandez’s home to execute a search warrant.  During the course of the search, officers recovered two short-barrel shotguns, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Thompson semi-automatic .45 caliber carbine rifle.

Hernandez had a prior felony conviction in El Paso District Court for felony menacing.  It is a violation of federal law for a felon to possess firearms.  In addition to the firearms, the defendant was found in possession of 11.33 grams of actual methamphetamine.

“The crimes Mr. Hernandez committed are precisely the type that endanger our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.  “Our office will continue to work with ATF and local law enforcement to put those who commit violent crimes behind bars.”

"The Colorado Springs Police Department Community Impact Team (COMMIT), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Attorney's Office are all diligently working together to rid our community of violent felons who utilize firearms in furtherance of their criminal activities," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Hernandez was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.

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