Unites States of America v. Fabian LI. Sanchez

Albuquerque, NM - Albuquerque Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and Ammunition



If Deemed an Armed Career Criminal, Defendant Faces Enhanced Sentence of Not Less Than 15 Years to Life Imprisonment



Fabian I. Sanchez, 38, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty on September 27, 2018 in federal court to violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.



Sanchez, whose criminal history includes convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and burglary of a dwelling, is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets violent, repeat offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target for federal prosecution violent or repeat offenders with the goal of making communities in New Mexico safer places for people to live and work.



Sanchez was charged on May 9, 2017, with violating the federal firearms laws by being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment was superseded on Aug. 14, 2018, to charge Sanchez with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and included forfeiture allegations requiring Sanchez to forfeit two firearms and ammunition to the United States. According to the superseding indictment, the offense took place on Nov. 30, 2016, in Sandoval County, N.M.



During today’s proceedings, Sanchez pled guilty to the superseding indictment and admitted that on Nov. 30, 2016, he was in possession of a firearm and approximately five rounds of ammunition. Sanchez acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.



At sentencing, Sanchez faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years of imprisonment. However, if the court determines that Sanchez is an armed career criminal, he faces an enhanced sentence of a mandatory minimum 15 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. Sanchez remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.



This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Rio Rancho Police Department.

Charge:

18:922(g)(1): Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

(1)

18 USC 922(g)(1): Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

(1s)

09/27/2018 67 CONSENT TO PLEA BEFORE US MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Fabian I Sanchez (vv) (Entered: 09/27/2018)

09/27/2018 68 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Fabian I Sanchez (vv) (Entered: 09/27/2018)

09/27/2018 69 Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen: Plea Hearing as to Fabian I Sanchez held on 9/27/2018; Guilty Plea entered by Fabian I Sanchez as to Superseding Indictment (Recording Info: Rio Grande) (emr) (Entered: 09/27/2018)

Guilty