Gabriel Joseph Detrant, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, California 2021

REDDING, CA – Gabriel Joseph Detrant, 49, is facing federal charges after a 2021 traffic stop revealed he was illegally packing heat. The Redding man was indicted Thursday on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that could land him back behind bars for a decade.

The incident unfolded on February 2, 2021, when law enforcement initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Detrant. Instead of complying, Detrant and his passenger bailed out on foot, leaving behind a loaded Baikal Makarov, Model IJ-70 9 mm handgun. The weapon, containing eight rounds, was discovered near the driver’s seat, along with a wallet bearing Detrant’s name by the driver’s side door.

Officers quickly located Detrant hiding in nearby bushes, and a search revealed he was also carrying a magazine loaded with eight additional 9 mm rounds. This wasn’t Detrant’s first brush with the law concerning firearms. Court documents show he was previously convicted in Shasta County in 2018 for – you guessed it – being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case is a collaborative effort between the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, the Redding Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid will be leading the prosecution, aiming to keep Detrant off the streets and away from firearms.

If convicted, Detrant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a hefty $250,000 fine. However, the final sentence will be determined by the court, factoring in federal sentencing guidelines and other relevant considerations. As with all criminal cases, Detrant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Federal officials say this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in 2021, focusing on community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. Whether it’ll make a dent in Redding’s crime rate remains to be seen, but authorities are hoping this indictment sends a message.

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