Las Vegas, Nev. – A man with a criminal history record spanning 30 years was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Joe Riley, 47, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Pro to the 10-year term, which is the maximum period of imprisonment allowed under federal law for this offense. There is no parole in the federal system.

On April 10, 2008, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officers executed a search warrant at Riley's home in Las Vegas and recovered a 9-millimeter handgun, two handgun magazines containing 9-millimeter ammunition, over 100 rounds of .25 caliber and .22 caliber ammunition, about one-half ounce of cocaine, small amounts of marijuana and heroin, multiple kinds of prescription pain killers, drug paraphernalia, and a digital scale. A records check revealed that Riley had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses and was not permitted to possess a firearm. Riley was indicted on federal charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. On May 7, 2010, Riley pleaded guilty to the felon in possession charge.

Riley has 14 prior felony convictions in Illinois and Florida dating back to 1980, including robbery, drug possession, grand theft, unlawful use of weapons, and attempted burglary. Riley had resided in the Las Vegas area since approximately 2007.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The case was screened by the Southern Nevada Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Smith.

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