FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
May 3, 2012	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury indicted five defendants in five cases today charging them various federal firearms offenses.

            Grady Hanks, 35, of Fresno, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute crack. The indictment alleges that on March 21, 2012, Hanks possessed a .40-caliber Glock pistol. He has prior felony convictions for transportation of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale, and possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces 5 – 50 years in prison and a $5.25 million fine. This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police.

            Jesus Hernandez, of Madera, was charged with being an illegal alien on April 20, 2012, in possession of ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, and the Madera Gang Enforcement Task Force. It is being investigated and prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative under which local, state and federal law enforcement agencies join forces to combat gang and gun violence. The maximum statutory penalty if convicted is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

            Pang Mua, 35, of Fresno, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that on January 5, 2011, he possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol. He has a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mua faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine. This case is the product of an investigation by ATF and the Fresno Police Department.

            Robert Gonzalez, 28, of Fresno, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on April 18, 2012, he was in possession of an American Derringer, Model Lady Derringer, .38-caliber pistol. He has prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana for sale and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum statutory penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This case is the product of an investigation by ATF and the Fresno Police Department.

            Theodore Williams, 19, of Fresno, was charged with possessing a firearm that had not been registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The indictment alleges that on March 30, 2012, he was in possession of a weapon made from a rifle that had a barrel length of less than 16" and an overall length of less than 26". Williams did not register it in National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The maximum statutory penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This case is the product of an investigation by ATF and the Clovis Police Department. The investigation and prosecution are part of Project SAFE Neighborhoods.

            Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sanchez is prosecuting the cases. The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the sentences will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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