Ronald Allen Class, Jr., Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Nevada 2021

Las Vegas, NV – In a shocking display of disregard for the law, convicted felon Ronald Allen Class, Jr. (31, of Las Vegas) was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for unlawfully possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

The crime took place on October 28, 2020 when a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer stopped a vehicle for traveling more than 50 miles per hour on a 25 mile per hour section of U.S. Route 95 through Searchlight, Nevada. Class, a backseat passenger in the vehicle, was taken into custody after the officer noticed a sawed-off shotgun on the floor at his feet.

The firearm, a Remington 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun with a cut-down barrel and a chambered round, was loaded and secured by the officer. Class is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. During the traffic stop, records checks revealed that the car had been stolen and three of the four people in the car, including Class, had outstanding arrest warrants.

Class pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro sentenced Class to three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Class’s sentence serves as a reminder that the consequences of violating firearms laws can be severe. As the nation grapples with rising violent crime rates, it is imperative that we hold accountable those who choose to disregard the law and put the public at risk.

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