OMAHA, NE – Austin Galvan, 41, of Omaha, is headed to federal prison for seven years after being convicted of possessing ammunition as a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher handed down the 84-month sentence today, with no chance of parole. Galvan will also face three years of supervised release after serving his time.
The case unfolded on November 7, 2021, when officers with the Ralston Police Department responded to a domestic assault call. Galvan’s arrest led to a search of the bags he carried, revealing a disturbing cache: the lower receiver of an AR-15 style rifle, a magazine, and two rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. The discovery immediately flagged Galvan as a felon illegally in possession of firearm components and ammo.
Federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from possessing ammunition. Galvan’s prior conviction made him ineligible, and the discovery of the rifle parts and rounds sealed his fate. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) took over the investigation, building the case that ultimately led to today’s sentencing. Sources close to the investigation indicate Galvan has a history of violent offenses.
The Department of Justice is framing the case as a victory for Project Guardian, a nationwide initiative launched in 2019 to combat gun violence. Project Guardian aims to strengthen cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement, and to focus resources on the most dangerous criminals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska highlighted the collaboration with the ATF and Ralston Police Department in securing the conviction.
U.S. Attorney Steven Russell stated that Galvan’s sentencing sends a clear message: illegally possessing firearms and ammunition carries severe consequences. The Justice Department has made it a priority to prosecute these cases aggressively. While the 84-month sentence is substantial, critics will question whether it is enough to deter others from similar crimes in a city already grappling with rising gun violence.
The ATF’s Kansas City Field Division played a key role in the investigation. The case underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to trace illegal firearms and hold those who violate federal gun laws accountable. The full details of Project Guardian can be found on the Department of Justice website: www.justice.gov/archives/ag/about-project-guardian. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to address gun violence in Omaha and across the nation.
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