FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
November 14, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:11-cr-008-LJO

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that the United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill sentenced Shane Stone, 33, of Fresno to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years supervised release, as a result of his conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. On August 9, 2011, Stone was convicted following a trial.

            This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. The joint effort is part of the U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative bringing together federal, state and local law enforcement resources in an effort to combat gang and gun violence. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sanchez prosecuted the case.

            The evidence at trial established that on the afternoon of December 15, 2010, Stone fled when a Fresno Police officer attempted to stop Stone’s car after he ran a red light. Stone led officers on a high-speed chase, drove up to 65 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone, and crashed into three cars. Stone then fled on foot. When officers arrested him, they found a sock filled with 15 rounds of ammunition beneath him. According to court documents, Stone had prior felony convictions for evading police, petty theft by a felon, and felon in possession of a firearm, and in fact, he was on federal supervised release for the last conviction.

            At sentencing, Judge O’Neill noted that the sentence was supported by a number of factors, including his Bulldog gang affiliation (evidenced by a large bulldog tattoo on his left cheek, among other gang-related tattoos). Judge O’Neill cited Stone’s extensive criminal history, poor performance on parole and reckless disregard for innocent bystanders. Judge O’Neill said that he has to protect the innocent citizens who are endangered by the defendant’s repeatedly dangerous conduct.

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