FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
February 14, 2012	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:11-cr-229-WBS

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today United States District Judge William B. Shubb sentenced Sonesay Rathsamy, 30, of Fresno, to six years and five months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

            This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

            According to court documents and testimony presented at trial, on June 20, 2011, Rathsamy was at his home in Fresno when police arrived to conduct a parole search for another occupant. Evidence presented at trial and Rathsamy’s admission at his sentencing today established that he hid a gun in a closet where officers found it. The gun was a Glock .45-caliber pistol. Rathsamy was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his two prior felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine for sale and other felony convictions for obliterating identification of a firearm, vehicle theft, and evading a peace officer.

            At sentencing, Judge Shubb denied Rathsamy’s request for a lesser sentence based on Rathsamy’s claim that his criminal history overstated his threat to the community. Judge Shubb cited his steady stream of criminal activity, and the need to protect the community.

####

 

Return to Top