Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of California announced that Licea-Cardenas was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after being convicted of armed career criminal in California.
According to court documents filed in United States v. Licea-Cardenas (Case No. 1:00-cr-05389), law enforcement officers recovered a 12-gauge shotgun from Licea-Cardenas’s possession during an investigation in California. A subsequent background check revealed that Licea-Cardenas had previously been convicted of domestic violence, making it a federal crime for Licea-Cardenas to possess any firearm or ammunition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
The investigation began when local law enforcement received information that Licea-Cardenas was in possession of firearms. Federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) became involved after confirming Licea-Cardenas’s status as a prohibited person under federal law. The agents conducted a thorough investigation that included surveillance, witness interviews, and the execution of search warrants.
During the search, investigators recovered a 12-gauge shotgun along with ammunition. Ballistic analysis confirmed that the firearms were operable, and forensic examination linked the weapons to Licea-Cardenas. The evidence was presented to a federal grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Licea-Cardenas with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan Smith imposed the sentence after considering the applicable sentencing guidelines, Licea-Cardenas’s criminal history, and the circumstances of the offense. The court noted the serious public safety risk posed by convicted felons who illegally possess firearms and emphasized the need for a sentence that would protect the community.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, the court ordered a $100 special assessment and 5 years of supervised release. As a condition of supervised release, Licea-Cardenas is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition and must submit to regular searches by probation officers.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Taylor prosecuted the case. “Keeping illegal guns out of the hands of convicted felons is essential to public safety,” Jennifer Taylor said. “This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute individuals who illegally possess firearms.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) emphasized that the investigation and prosecution of firearms offenses by prohibited persons remains a top priority for federal law enforcement. Officials noted that the illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons contributes significantly to violent crime in communities across California.
Under federal law, there is no parole in the federal system, and Licea-Cardenas must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence imposed. This case was part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to reduce gun violence through the aggressive prosecution of firearms offenses.
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