Convicted felon sentenced to 13 years for methamphetamine and firearm charges

HONOLULU– Brian Ancho, 41, was sentenced today in federal court by Senior United States District Judge Susan Oki Mollway to 13 years of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute 33 grams of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and information presented in court, on March 4, 2019, Ancho crashed his vehicle minutes after fleeing a traffic stop. Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers responded to Moanalua Community Park, but Ancho, on supervised release from a prior felony gun conviction, had abandoned his vehicle. HPD officers located Ancho concealing himself in the Moanalua Stream and arrested him. Thereafter, two loaded firearms were found near him, along with a backpack filled with small plastic baggies, two scales, and methamphetamine. An additional firearm, methamphetamine, and drug ledgers written by the defendant were subsequently recovered from Ancho’s crashed vehicle.

At sentencing, Senior U.S. District Judge Mollway highlighted the need to protect the public given Ancho’s extensive criminal history and the nature and circumstances of the offense.

“This prosecution results from the exemplary work of federal agents and local law enforcement officers working together to keep the community safe by holding a convicted felon accountable for his continued refusal to comply with the law,” stated U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Kenji M. Price.

“The sentence handed down to Mr. Ancho is a reflection of his blatant disregard for the rule of law,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Darek Pleasants. “Sentences such as this one removes a dangerous offender from our streets and will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others.”

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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The case was investigated by HPD, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara D. Ayabe and Chris A. Thomas.