FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 12, 2012

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Jose Venegas, 27, of Fresno, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. It is part of the Project SAFE Neighborhoods initiative under which local, state and federal law enforcement collaborate to target gang and gun-related violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

According to the indictment, on May 11, 2012, Venegas possessed a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Venegas has prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.

Venegas faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, if Venegas is convicted, 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 charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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