Damien Torres, Firearms Offenses, California 2022

FRESNO, Calif. — A local man has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Damien Torres, 22, of Wasco, was found in possession of ammunition on Aug. 5, 2021, after officers responded to a disturbance call.

On Nov. 29, 2021, Torres was found in possession of a firearm after he failed to yield to officers during a traffic stop. He was again found with a firearm during a search of his residence on March 18, 2022.

A firearm was also found at Torres’ residence on May 2, 2022, after reports of a confrontation involving Torres striking a male with a firearm the day before. Torres is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his prior convictions for taking a vehicle without consent and possession of a loaded firearm by a gang member.

The case is the product of an investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Torres faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/kern-county-man-charged-firearms-offenses