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Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a Loaded Firearm
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Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a Loaded Firearm

A 27-year-old Fresno man has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm while fighting with police, according to a recent plea agreement. Joseph Rocha, a convicted felon, was arrested on March 21, 2024, after a traffic stop turned violent.

According to court documents, officers performed a traffic stop on Rocha’s vehicle and asked him to step out. However, Rocha attempted to drive away, leading to a struggle with officers through a half-open door. The suspect continued to fight as officers removed him from the vehicle, at one point trying to grab an officer’s taser. Eventually, officers subdued Rocha and found him in possession of a loaded firearm.

Rocha is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions in Fresno County, including evading a peace officer, firearms offenses, assault, car theft, and drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fresno Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case. Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on May 26, 2026. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.

Rocha’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, which highlights the ongoing struggle against violent crime in California. The outcome of the case will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of applicable statutory factors and federal Sentencing Guidelines.