Juan Sauceda, Lying on Federal Form, Texas 2018

Guilty Verdict in Lying on Federal Form Case

A 39-year-old Harlingen resident has been found guilty of lying on a federal firearm application at a local Wal-Mart, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Juan Sauceda, a Harlingen resident, was convicted of lying on ATF Form 4473 in order to complete a background check for the purchase of a 12-gauge pump shotgun at a Wal-Mart in Harlingen on Sept. 6, 2018.

The investigation revealed that Sauceda had a conviction for two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, where he had stabbed two individuals in 2013 in a dispute in Custer County, Oklahoma. The defense attempted to convince the jury that Sauceda was too uneducated to understand the form when he made the false statement as to his criminal history. However, the jury was not persuaded and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera presided over the trial and has set sentencing for Sept. 18, 2019. At that time, Sauceda faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Schorr Dinsdale and Israel Cano III prosecuted the case.

Juan Sauceda, a 39-year-old Harlingen resident, was found guilty of lying on a federal firearm application. As a part of the purchase, he was required to fill out ATF Form 4473 in order to complete a background check.

The jury deliberated for 30 minutes before convicting Juan Sauceda following a one-day trial. He faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine, with sentencing set for Sept. 18, 2019.

Defendant: Juan Sauceda

Criminal Charges: Lying on Federal Form

City and State: Harlingen, Texas

Crime Date: Sept. 6, 2018

Sentence: Up to 5 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine

Fine: $250,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/jury-convicts-valley-man-lying-federal-form