PAYETTE MAN CONVICTED BY JURY OF THREE COUNTS OF FEDERAL FIREARM VIOLATIONS

Jerry Desilva Ferreira, 28, of Payette, Idaho was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury sitting in Boise of three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

During the two day trial, the jury heard evidence that Ferreira possessed and sold three firearms to a police informant. The jury found him guilty of “felon in possession,” as he possessed the firearms after having been convicted of aggravated assault.

Ferreira is set to be sentenced on June 1, 2009, at 1:00 pm, at the Federal Courthouse in Boise. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Ferreira’s case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Payette City Police Department and the High Desert Task Force. Ferreira’s prosecution was part of Idaho’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program. He was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partners and Idaho State Police.