MONTE VISTA, CO – Titus Naranjo, 42, is headed to federal prison for 30 months after admitting to possessing a firearm despite a lengthy criminal record, federal prosecutors announced Friday. The sentence will run consecutively with a Colorado state prison term Naranjo is already serving for drug distribution, meaning he’ll be locked up for even longer. The case underscores the ATF and local police’s focus on disarming those already involved in illicit activities.
According to court documents, Naranjo wasn’t just holding a gun; he was a known drug dealer operating in Monte Vista. He’d racked up five prior drug convictions in Rio Grande County since 2015, several of them felonies. Law enforcement raided his residence in April 2021, turning up a significant quantity of methamphetamine. Months later, in November 2021, officers encountered Naranjo while serving a search warrant at a different location targeting another drug dealer and gang member. That’s when things escalated.
Officers found a Charter Arms .38 special revolver stuffed in one of Naranjo’s pockets, and a staggering 14 grams of methamphetamine in the other. The combined evidence was enough to secure a conviction on federal firearms charges. U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan didn’t mince words, stating, “Armed drug dealers present a unique danger to our communities.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and local agencies in taking down such individuals.
Monte Vista Police Chief George Dingfelder echoed that sentiment, stating his department remains “committed to the community” and will “use all available resources” to hold drug dealers accountable. ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers added that illegally possessed firearms, particularly in the hands of those dealing drugs, “frequently lead to an increase of violent crime.” The investigation was a joint effort between the Monte Vista Police Department and the ATF, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Graves leading the prosecution.
This case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice recently strengthened the PSN program, focusing on building trust with communities, supporting local organizations, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. While the program’s long-term effectiveness remains debated, officials insist it’s a crucial tool in the fight against crime.
Naranjo’s case is a stark reminder of the cycle of crime and the consequences of repeated offenses. With a history of drug dealing and now a federal firearms conviction, Naranjo’s future remains bleak. The ATF and local police are sending a clear message: possessing illegal firearms while engaged in criminal activity will not be tolerated, and those who do will face the full force of the law. The Denver Field Division of the ATF played a key role in the investigation and subsequent prosecution.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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