Armando Durete and Nickie Rico, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Colorado 2018

Violent Crime Spree in Denver Continues as Feds Crack Down on Gun-Toting Felons

Denver, Colorado – In a bold move to combat the rising tide of violent crime in the Mile High City, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has joined forces with local authorities to take aim at felons carrying firearms. The effort, announced in November 2022, aims to make Denver a safer place to live, work, and visit.

According to U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan, the federal office will focus on prosecuting violent criminals who carry or use firearms. Just yesterday, two separate federal juries returned guilty verdicts for felons who were caught with guns. State law differs from federal law, allowing certain felons to still carry weapons, but federal law makes it illegal for a felon to possess a firearm or ammunition, with violators facing up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Finegan cited two examples of felons caught with guns: Armando Durete and Nickie Rico. Durete was involved in a shootout in September 2018 at the corner of 15th and Market, where an innocent bystander was hit and seriously wounded. Both defendants were charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition. Armando Durete was convicted after trial and Nickie Rico pled guilty to the charge. Rico was sentenced to more than 8 years in prison, while Durete received a 10-year prison sentence.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a dedicated team of prosecutors working on violent crime cases. Thanks to the Mayor, City Attorney, and funding from the Denver City Council, the office is in the process of hiring four special prosecutors, who will be designated as ‘Special Assistant United States Attorneys.’ These additional prosecutors will help the office take on more cases and make sure they have the resources to charge as many dangerous criminals as possible.

This effort should send a powerful message to criminals: We are bringing federal criminal charges against felons with guns and criminals using guns in crimes of violence or drug trafficking. Additional special prosecutors for the U.S. Attorney’s Office will help take these violent criminals off the streets and send them to prison for a long time.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to making Denver a safer place to live, work, and visit. With the help of local authorities, they will continue to work tirelessly to combat violent crime and keep the community safe.

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