Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of California announced that Scarcello was found guilty and received a sentence of 17 years after being convicted of unlawful sale of firearms in California.
According to court documents filed in United States v. Scarcello (Case No. 2:12-cr-00288), law enforcement officers recovered multiple firearms including handguns and rifles from Scarcello’s possession during an investigation in California. A subsequent background check revealed that Scarcello had previously been convicted of domestic violence, making it a federal crime for Scarcello to possess any firearm or ammunition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
The investigation began when local law enforcement received information that Scarcello was in possession of firearms. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) became involved after confirming Scarcello’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 multiple firearms including handguns and rifles along with ammunition. Ballistic analysis confirmed that the firearms were operable, and forensic examination linked the weapons to Scarcello. The evidence was presented to a federal grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Scarcello with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Perez imposed the sentence after considering the applicable sentencing guidelines, Scarcello’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, Scarcello is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition and must submit to regular searches by probation officers.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Martinez prosecuted the case. “Keeping illegal guns out of the hands of convicted felons is essential to public safety,” Michael Martinez said. “This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute individuals who illegally possess firearms.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 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 Scarcello 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.
Related Federal Cases
- Dunkle, Unlawful Firearms Sale, California 1998 · California
- Mitchell, Unlawful Firearms Sale, California 2007 · California
- Cuesta, Unlawful Sale of Firearms, California 2006 · California
- Gonzalez-Casillas, Unlawful Sale of Firearms, California 2008 · California
- Mendoza-Trinidad, Unlawful Sale of Firearms, California 2010 · California
