Tony Tuaato, 23, of Anchorage, Alaska, was caught with a sawed-off shotgun during a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle — landing him in the crosshairs of a sweeping federal crackdown on car thieves armed with guns. Federal prosecutors hit Tuaato with charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to a series of indictments unsealed in Anchorage. The discovery of the shortened shotgun — a weapon built for close-range chaos — underscores the escalating danger tied to Anchorage’s vehicle theft epidemic.
The case against Tuaato is part of a broader federal assault on repeat offenders stealing cars and packing heat. Over the past few months, a federal grand jury has indicted ten Anchorage residents on gun charges linked to stolen vehicle investigations. All have prior felony records, many for violent or property crimes. Among them: Jesse Contreras, 24, charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm after cops pulled him over in a stolen car; Christopher Curtin, 30, found with burglary tools and a gun; and Navy Tauinaola, 35, facing three separate firearm charges after prior convictions for felony DUI and fleeing police.
Tuaato himself has prior felony convictions for vehicle theft and unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle. He’s also facing additional state charges for attempted murder — a detail that amplifies the threat level federal authorities say they’re racing to contain. If convicted on federal counts, Tuaato faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The sawed-off shotgun found in his possession isn’t just illegal — it’s a symbol of the city’s descent into brazen, armed auto crime.
Others swept up in the dragnet include Cody Iverson, 23, a convicted robber now charged again with firearm possession; Poly Lomu, 21, with prior theft and vehicle theft felonies; and Todd Margerum, 47, charged not only with being a drug user in possession of a firearm but also with possessing a stolen gun. Antoni Peralta, 31, and Timothy Fyffe, 35, both have past convictions for vehicle theft and are now back in federal crosshairs. Jarsis Howard, 40, already a registered sex offender, faces more charges for failing to re-register — while also allegedly packing a firearm.
The cases were driven by the Anchorage Police Department’s Property Crime Unit, with critical backup from the FBI, ATF, and the Alaska Department of Law. Several prosecutions are being handled by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney — a city prosecutor temporarily embedded within the U.S. Attorney’s Office to fast-track violent and firearm-related cases. This coordination is at the core of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the federal initiative targeting repeat offenders in high-crime areas.
One case stands apart in severity: Roy Naughton, 39, of Anchorage, indicted in December 2017 on federal carjacking charges — a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. While older than the others, Naughton’s case highlights the long reach of federal prosecutors determined to break cycles of theft and violence. With Anchorage’s car thefts surging, U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder isn’t just sending a message — he’s loading the courtroom.
Related Federal Cases
- Prison Plot: Inmate Used Oregon Woman to Buy Guns · Alaska
- Reginald Jesse Hawley Sentenced in Anchorage Explosives Case · Alaska
- Jahkeel Joseph Sentenced · Alaska
- Almando Abarca Sentenced to 10 Years for Shooting Police Dog, Officers · Alaska
- Anchorage Man Michael Lee Graves, 20, Charged with Machinegun Possession · Alaska
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons