OSCAR SANABRIA, 30, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced yesterday to 69 months in prison and three years of supervised release for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. SANABRIA was arrested December 14, 2007, by officers of the Washington State Department of Corrections and the Pierce County Violent Crimes Task Force (PCVCTF). At the time of his arrest, SANABRIA was carrying a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol in a backpack. The gun had been reported stolen. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle told SANABRIA it was time to turn his life around from his repeated criminal activity.

According to records filed in the case, law enforcement officers were actually looking for another felon on Department of Corrections supervision, when they spotted both men getting into a car outside an apartment building on “C” street in Tacoma. The men were stopped and arrested. Officers discovered a backpack on the floor of the car at SANABRIA’s feet. SANABRIA said the backpack was his, and he said he carried the gun for protection. SANABRIA has prior convictions for Assault Second Degree, Possession of Stolen Property First Degree, Attempting to Elude Police, ten convictions for Indecent Exposure, Malicious Mischief First Degree, Assault Third Degree, Indecent Conduct in a Public Place, Possession of a Weapon by a Prisoner, and Driving Under the Influence. Since his arrest and incarceration SANABRIA has racked up five disciplinary sanctions at the federal detention center for crimes ranging from assault to indecent exposure.

The case was investigated by the Washington State Department of Corrections and the Pierce County Violent Crimes Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. Gruber.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.

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