Hector Mariscal, Felon in Possession of Firearms, California 2023

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Riverside ‘Prepper’ Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges

A Riverside man and self-proclaimed ‘Doomsday Prepper’ has pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Hector Mariscal, 41, entered his guilty plea on Monday, [no date mentioned] in United States District Court.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Mariscal’s residence near Riverside City College in June. During the search, law enforcement seized firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, tasers, silencers, body armor, and a flare launcher.

As part of his guilty plea, Mariscal admitted that he unlawfully possessed semi-automatic firearms, shotguns, rifles, a receiver for an AR-15 machine gun, and various types of ammunition. Mariscal also admitted in court that he was not legally allowed to possess these items because he previously sustained felony convictions for burglary – and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mariscal repeatedly described himself as a ‘Doomsday Prepper,’ who in connection with his preparation also collected knives and other dangerous items. According to an affidavit filed in the case, Mariscal told investigators that he regularly goes to the swap meet to obtain firearms and other dangerous weapons, stating, ‘You’d be surprised what you can find at a swap meet.’

The case against Mariscal is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). At the time of sentencing, Mariscal faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Mariscal is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21.

The Riverside Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reema El-Amamy.

Hector Mariscal, Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, California, 2023

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