Two Medford Armed Career Criminals Each Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

MEDFORD, Ore. — Senior U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced Jorge Armando Cisneros, 34, of Medford, Oregon, yesterday to 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Justin Miller, 30, also of Medford, was previously sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the same offense.

The underlying incident occurred on October 18, 2011, when officers with the Medford Police Department responded to a trespass complaint at a residence. When they arrived, co-defendant Justin Miller was standing in the front yard and appeared to have something concealed in his waistband. Officers ordered Miller to the ground and discovered a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun in Miller’s waistband. Miller also had a backpack containing digital scales, handcuffs, knives, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Officers determined that defendant Cisneros was present at the residence but had fled out the back door. They searched the area but did not locate Cisneros.

Further police investigation revealed that Miller had obtained the Glock .40 handgun from Cisneros. Cisneros was arrested eight days later during a car stop and admitted giving the Glock .40 handgun to Miller, expecting cash or drugs in return. Cisneros' cell phone contained photos and videos of Cisneros shooting the Glock handgun and other firearms.

Under federal law, any person who possesses a firearm or ammunition after being previously convicted of three violent felonies or drug trafficking crimes is considered an Armed Career Criminal and, if convicted, faces a 15 year mandatory minimum prison sentence. Cisneros is an Armed Career Criminal with six such convictions. These include two convictions for burglary in the first degree, three convictions for felony attempt to elude police, and a conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Miller is also an Armed Career Criminal, with two prior convictions for burglary in the first degree and a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine, with additional felony convictions for identity theft and possession of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated jointly by the Medford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas W. Fong.