Grants Pass Felon Souza Sentenced to 15 Years for Gun, Narcotics Dealing

Grants Pass, Ore. – A hardened criminal known for his gang affiliation and a string of felony convictions has been handed a severe penalty by the federal judiciary. Michael Lee Souza, 40, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of dealing firearms and narcotics.

Souza’s criminal activities came to light when he sold methamphetamine to an ATF informant and offered to sell a Glock .45-caliber pistol along with accessories. The sale took place at his Grants Pass residence, where Souza openly discussed gun collections and recent transactions.

Grants Pass Department of Public Safety officers apprehended Souza during a traffic stop, where they found him attempting to hide a switchblade knife atop bags of methamphetamine.

Souza’s criminal history is extensive. With 13 prior felony convictions, including drug trafficking and theft, he has been under probation or post-prison supervision almost continuously since 2003. His earliest conviction was in 2003, and his record includes seven drug offenses and two firearms-related charges.

The ATF, Oregon State Police, and Grants Pass Department of Public Safety investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Judith Harper and Byron Chatfield for the District of Oregon.

Upon Souza’s release from prison, he will be subject to three years of supervised release.