Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Violent Crimes

SAN JUAN, P.R. – Today, U.S. District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced Luis Javier Correa-Figueroa, a.k.a. “Barney/Gordo” to life imprisonment for firearm offenses, a controlled substance offense, assaulting federal officers, and willfully injuring property of the United States, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The DEA, FBI, and Puerto Rico Police Department Strike Force Unit were in charge of the investigation of this case.

On April 4, 2017, Correa-Figueroa was found guilty by a jury of 16 counts, including: being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm; illegal possession of a machinegun; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; three counts of willfully injuring property of the United States; eight counts of assault upon a federal officer; and one count of attempt to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

During trial, the government proved that on July 7, 2015, Correa-Figueroa intended to exchange two firearms in his possession for cocaine. The exchange was to occur at the Plaza Guaynabo Shopping Center in the area of the parking lot. After receiving confirmation the defendant was in possession of the two firearms (one of which was modified to fire in a fully automatic mode), DEA agents intervened with the defendant to execute the arrest. Correa-Figueroa drove away, in an attempt to flee from law enforcement. He was ultimately apprehended at the scene. Correa-Figueroa’s actions resulted in the damage to three parked civilian vehicles and three official government vehicles.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vanessa Bonhomme and Maria Montañez.

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