Rudy Tafoya, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, California 2021

A West Sacramento man has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of methamphetamine, according to a federal indictment.

Rudy Tafoya, 54, was stopped for a traffic violation in May 2021 and found to be in possession of ammunition, a firearm, and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

At the time of the stop, Tafoya was on supervised release for a previous conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has six prior felony convictions, including two felony crimes of violence, which prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

According to the indictment, Tafoya is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the ammunition and firearm counts, and up to an additional year for the methamphetamine count.

The case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which aims to reduce violent crime by targeting the most violent offenders and partnering with locally based prevention and reentry programs.

Tafoya is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior felony convictions, which include two felony crimes of violence. The maximum statutory penalty for the charges against Tafoya is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the ammunition and firearm counts, and up to an additional year for the methamphetamine count.

The investigation into Tafoya’s activities was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, and the West Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Sauvageau is prosecuting the case.

Tafoya’s current status in the case is that he has been indicted, but he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Tafoya’s prior convictions include six felony crimes, including two felony crimes of violence, which prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition. The case against Tafoya is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which aims to reduce violent crime in the community.

The charges against Tafoya are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum statutory penalty for the charges against Tafoya is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the ammunition and firearm counts, and up to an additional year for the methamphetamine count.

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