Denver Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Being A Felon In Possession Of A Firearm

DENVER – Reginald Jerome Wray, age 35, of Denver, was recently sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore to serve 77 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey announced.  Wray, who appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, was remanded at the end of the proceeding.

Wray was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 8, 2013.  He pled guilty before Judge Moore on November 4, 2013.  Wray was sentenced on February 19, 2014.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on April 1, 2013, shortly before 2:00 a.m., Denver police attempted to make a traffic stop of a speeding Jeep Commander SUV.  When the officer turned on his overhead lights, the SUV took off at a high rate of speed and eluded the officer.  The SUV turned a corner and crashed into two parked cars.  The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, fled from the SUV on foot.  Police officers gave chase and found the defendant, Reginald Jerome Wray, hiding behind a wall near the scene of the accident.  The defendant admitted that he was the driver of the SUV. 

Police conducted an inventory search of the SUV.  Inside, officers found a firearm, specifically a Charter Arms, Bulldog .44 caliber revolver, loaded with 5 rounds of ammunition.  Officers also found marijuana, Diazepam (Valium), a portable scale, and two cell phones in the vehicle.  The defendant intentionally fled from police because he was on the run, as he was on parole and had an active warrant for a parole violation.

Prior to April 1, 2013, the defendant was a convicted felon and prohibited person.  He had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses punishable by more than one year imprisonment:

*          8/16/2010: Marijuana - Possession of 8 oz or More, Boulder County, Colorado, District Court Case No. 2010CR0221;

*          6/18/2010: Escape - Attempt from Felony Pending, Boulder County, Colorado, District Court Case No. 2010CR00008;

*          10/8/2009: Possession of Weapon by Previous Offender, Boulder County, Colorado, District Court Case No. 2008CR1488;

*          11/15/2002: Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Denver County, Colorado, District Court Case No. 2002CR3054;

*          2/3/2000: Felony Menacing, Arapahoe County, District Court, Case No. 1999CR3166

During sentencing, Judge Moore ruled that the defendant’s prior statutory rape conviction, a misdemeanor under Colorado law, qualified as a felony crime of violence for sentencing purposes.  Specifically, in 2007, the defendant was convicted in Jefferson County of Sex Assault – 10 Year Age Difference.  In that case, the defendant, 29-years-old at the time, had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old minor in an automobile.  He received 24-months in jail for that offense.  A violation of this state law is a Class 1 misdemeanor and an “extraordinary risk” crime under Colorado law, punishable by up to 24 months imprisonment.  While the crime may be classified as a “misdemeanor” under state law, it is considered a felony for sentencing purposes because it carries a potential penalty of more than one year imprisonment.  The judge’s ruling increased the defendant’s prison sentence.

“The defendant’s long criminal record demonstrates that he remains a danger to the community,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.  “As today’s sentence shows, felons in possession of firearms face stiff prison sentences.” 

“ATF will continue to identify violent offenders who violate federal firearms law,” said Denver ATF Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey.  “Taking these felons off the streets of Denver will make our communities a safer place to live.”

“This is a great example of how the Denver Police Department works closely with our State and Federal Law Enforcement partners,” said Denver Police Chief Robert White.

This case was investigate by the ATF and the Denver Police Department.

Wray was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Hosley, Chief of the Major Crimes Section, Criminal Division.