DENVER – The final piece of a dangerous puzzle fell into place this week as Damion Shata Morgan, age 23, of Pueblo, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for his role in the brazen 2015 robbery of RJC Firearms. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson, closes the book on a case that exposed a clear and present danger to the community, according to federal prosecutors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and ATF Denver Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Ron Humphries announced Morgan’s fate, highlighting that he served as the lookout while two other defendants – Benjamin Miguel Acosta, age 25, and David Anthony Lizarraga, age 37 – carried out the actual burglary. Acosta previously received 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit theft of a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lizarraga was sentenced to 64 months, also followed by 3 years of supervised release, for similar charges, including possession of two sawed-off shotguns. Morgan pled guilty to the conspiracy to commit theft from a FFL.
Court records paint a chilling picture of the meticulously planned crime. On the evening of September 20, 2015, Acosta, Lizarraga, and an unidentified accomplice cased RJC Firearms, a licensed gun dealer dealing in interstate commerce. They then armed themselves with bolt cutters, a sledgehammer, and a pry bar before picking up Morgan. He was strategically positioned as a lookout while the trio breached the store’s security, smashing display cases and absconding with 12 firearms. The stolen weapons were then divided amongst the group at Lizarraga’s residence.
The details revealed a particularly disturbing element: Morgan’s payment for his participation wasn’t cash, but heroin. A subsequent search of Lizarraga’s home yielded not only the burglary tools but also the two illegally modified shotguns. The recovery of the tools and weapons was crucial in securing convictions, officials stated. This wasn’t just about stealing property; it was about arming criminals and putting lives at risk.
“Stealing guns from gun stores is a very serious threat to the safety of Colorado communities,” Troyer stated bluntly. “Do that, and we will make sure you spend a good piece of your life in federal prison.” Humphries echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the escalating trend of gun store burglaries. “The surge in gun store burglaries is a concerning trend—one that ATF takes very seriously. These stolen guns end up at future crime scenes, including murders, and pose a risk to innocent civilians and law enforcement alike,” he said. “We are fully committed to investigating gun store burglaries with our local partners to arrest those responsible, recover the firearms and prevent future thefts.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF and the Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn prosecuted the case, securing convictions against all three identified defendants. While the case is closed, the threat of gun theft remains a priority for federal and local law enforcement, who are working tirelessly to stem the flow of illegal firearms onto the streets.
Related Federal Cases
- Pueblo Narc King Gets 190 Months for Meth & Gun · Colorado
- Gunsmoke Owner Richard Wyatt Gets 78 Months for Gun, Tax Crimes · Colorado
- Denver Gun Thief Vigil Gets 39 Months · Colorado
- El Paso Narc King Alejandro Carrillo Gets 46-Month Meth Sentence · Colorado
- Blue Moon Madam Gets 2 Years for Immigration Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
