Antonio Nicholas Smith, Felon in Possession of a Fully Automatic Firearm, California 2017

In a shocking turn of events, a federal jury in Sacramento has found 26-year-old Antonio Nicholas Smith of Stockton guilty of being a felon in possession of a fully automatic firearm. The verdict was handed down on Thursday after a three-day trial.

According to the evidence presented at the trial, Smith and another man were driving in the Bear Creek district of Stockton on March 6, 2016. When a police officer attempted to stop the car for a traffic violation, Smith and the other man fled, leading the officer on a high-speed chase through a residential area. The car eventually crashed, and Smith was apprehended in a neighbor’s backyard with a bag containing a Glock 9mm pistol with a 50-round drum magazine attached.

Smith had previously been convicted of felony offenses, making it unlawful for him to possess firearms. The evidence presented at the trial revealed that the pistol had been modified to function in a fully automatic mode, making it a particularly hazardous firearm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin L. Lee is prosecuting the case, which is a result of an investigation by the Stockton Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge John A. Mendez on March 14, 2017. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Smith’s conviction is a significant blow to those who attempt to circumvent the law and possess firearms despite being prohibited from doing so. It is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in California to keeping the public safe from those who would misuse firearms.

The case is a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by those who would recklessly possess firearms, and the consequences that follow when they are caught.

Smith’s sentencing is set to take place on March 14, 2017. In the meantime, he will remain in custody, awaiting the outcome of his case.

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