Earnest Donte Ruff, Possessing Ammunition After Felony Conviction, California 2021

Fresno Man Earnest Donte Ruff, 23, was slapped with federal charges after being caught with a loaded .40-caliber gun with no serial number in his possession. This is not Ruff’s first rodeo, as he has four prior convictions for illegally possessing firearms or ammunition.

According to court documents, April 21, 2021 was the day Ruff was arrested and found to be in possession of the aforementioned firearm. Ruff’s lengthy history of crime has caught up with him, and he now faces one-count indictment for possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony offense.

The case is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is handling the prosecution.

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

The charges against Ruff are mere allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, aimed at reducing violent crime.

The PSN program is a broad strategy that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Fresno, Calif., is one of the cities where this initiative is being put into action.

Ruff’s prior convictions for illegally possessing firearms or ammunition have come back to haunt him, and he now faces the possibility of serious prison time. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the roots of violent crime and working together to create safer communities.

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