Colorado Springs Gang Member Sentenced To Over 7 Years In Federal Prison For Being A Felon In Possession Of A Firearm And Ammunition

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Perry Wayne Suggs, Jr., age 33, of Colorado Springs, Colorado was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez to serve 90 months (7.5 years) in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  Suggs appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, and was remanded at its conclusion.  ATF Denver Division joined in today’s announcement. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on January 3, 2018, Colorado Springs Police Officers were dispatched to a “shots fired” call where witnesses stated that a man in a BMW fired at a pedestrian crossing the street.  Officers interviewed a mother and daughter who had witnessed the shooting.  They provided the make and model of the car, as well as its license plate number, to law enforcement.  The pedestrian was legally crossing an intersection when an individual in a black BMW engaged in an altercation with the pedestrian.  The pedestrian had nothing in his hands and was several feet from the BMW.  The driver of the vehicle pointed a firearm at the pedestrian’s legs, fired, and then fled the scene.  A witness took a picture of the car’s license plate and identified the shell casing in the intersection, which was retrieved by the officers.

The victim also called 911 and was interviewed by the police officers.  Based on the victim’s information as well as that of other witnesses, officers learned that the black BMW was registered to Perry Suggs, Jr., the defendant, who lived in Colorado Springs.  It was determined that Suggs was a member of the Gangster Disciples street gang and had at least one felony conviction.  It is against federal law for felons to possess firearms.

Officers executed search warrants at Suggs’ residence and on his BMW.  While they were executing these search warrants, officers observed two firearms in plain view inside a vehicle parked at the defendant’s residence, including a black handgun and a black semi-automatic rifle.  Officers then secured another search warrant on that vehicle and recovered a Glock handgun and an AR-15 style rifle, as well as ammunition.  A test using the NIBIN database (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) as well as a full forensic examination confirmed that the Glock recovered by officers matched the shell casings found at the scene.

“We are using modern technology and science, coupled with stiff federal penalties, to help rid communities of violent gun crime and gangs,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “We will continue to offer our help to law enforcement and stand ready to assist anytime they ask.”

“The Colorado Springs Police Department, NIBIN, and observant members of the community are the reason this investigation was a success,” said ATF Denver Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Doak Dyer.  “ATF, along with our law enforcement partners, will use every resource available to protect our communities from violent crime.”

This matter was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the ATF with the assistance of the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Treaster and Hetal J. Doshi. 

NIBIN is a national database of digital images of spent bullets and cartridge cases that were found at crime scenes or test-fired from confiscated weapons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) manages the system and provides the equipment to crime labs around the country.