Anthony Jair Demedeiros, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, California 2021

WEAVERVILLE, CA – Anthony Jair Demedeiros, 23, is facing federal charges after authorities say they found him traveling with a stolen assault rifle. The incident, dating back to February 9, 2021, came to light after law enforcement received a tip that Demedeiros was boarding a bus with a suspicious duffel bag.

Demedeiros was already under Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for a prior conviction in Tehama County – carrying a concealed firearm as a convicted felon. He also has a history of arrests for violent crimes, raising immediate red flags for investigators. The bus was quickly located and stopped, and officers boarded to confront Demedeiros.

A search revealed a duffel bag next to Demedeiros’ seat that matched the description from the initial report. Demedeiros vehemently denied ownership, and no other passengers claimed the bag. Inside, officers found a Bushmaster Carbon-15 .223-5.56 caliber rifle, partially disassembled – a tactic often used to conceal weapons. All components were present to reassemble the fully operational firearm, which had a round chambered and a 10-round magazine loaded with four rounds.

The rifle wasn’t just illegally possessed; it was stolen. A serial number check revealed the weapon had been reported missing from an address in Trinity County. This adds a layer of severity to the charges against Demedeiros, indicating involvement in both illegal firearm possession and theft. The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Redding Police Department, and the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.

Demedeiros is now indicted on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, the ultimate sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and any mitigating or aggravating factors. As with all criminal cases, Demedeiros is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being touted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” initiative, a broad program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program emphasizes community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results, though critics often point to the lack of substantial impact despite years of funding and effort. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.

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