08/18/2009
Armed Career Criminal and Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
Eugene, Ore. – Sengchanh Dia Savath, 34, was sentenced on August 18, 2009, by U. S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan to serve 30 years in prison after he was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Savath was also ordered to serve a federal supervised release term of five years. Because Savath’s criminal history included at least three previous convictions for violent felonies, his possession of a pistol classified him as an armed career criminal; under federal law, this mandates a minimum 15-year sentence with a maximum of life.
Judge Hogan found Savath’s three prior felony convictions for robbery and assault qualified him to be sentenced as an armed career criminal and a career offender. Savath is currently serving a state sentence for third degree rape convictions. He also has prior convictions for felony hit and run, being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, and menacing.
The criminal charges were filed after Savath, a Springfield resident, was stopped by Springfield police on June 17, 2005, as he was driving two passengers to a drug deal. Savath was arrested on warrants from prior convictions and a pending charge. Police found a stolen loaded pistol in Savath’s bag along with his identification card and ammunition. In February 2009, a jury found Savath guilty of possessing a pistol while involved in a conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Eugene Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Springfield Police Department successfully investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Papagni prosecuted the case.
