FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
July 28, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Wendell Ladell Moton, 21, of Fresno, with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department as part of the Project SAFE Neighborhoods initiative which brings together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce firearm and gang related violence. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

According to the indictment, on July 17, 2011, Moton, who was convicted in 2009 of assault with a deadly weapon was found to be in possession of a Norinco .22-caliber rifle.

If convicted, Moton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The indictment is only an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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