United States Attorney's Office Combats Violent Crime By Advancing Four Firearms Cases This Week

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announces the results from this week prosecuting crimes committed with firearms:

• Guilty plea in U.S. v. Michael Phillip Gonzales (case number 20-cr-194) -- Defendant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm while in Colorado Springs.  During the course of an investigation, police contacted the defendant, a known gang member, in a store parking lot.  A search of the defendant’s vehicle revealed a backpack containing a firearm.  The defendant was not allowed to possess this weapon due to a prior conviction.
• Guilty plea in U.S. v. Novan Greenwood (case number 20-cr-58) – Defendant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition while in Wheat Ridge.  In September of 2019, the defendant went to a shooting range with his own weapons and purchased ammunition for target practice.  The defendant had a prior felony conviction that prohibited this activity.
• Guilty plea in U.S. v. Leon Salazar (case number 20-cr-27) – Defendant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm while in Colorado Springs.  During the course of an investigation, law enforcement found firearms in the defendant’s storage shed and in the trunk of his vehicle.  He was not allowed to possess these weapons because he had a prior felony conviction.
• Sentencing hearing in U.S. v. Dashe Eugene Armstrong (case number 18-cr-551) –  On November 11, 2018, Mr. Armstrong, a known gang member, was shot at by a rival gang member near the intersection of 21^st and Lawrence.  There were busy restaurants, bars and businesses in the immediate vicinity, as well as a large group of homeless individuals.  Five innocent homeless people were shot, with one dying from his injuries.  Armstrong was also shot -- in the foot.  He returned fire.  He was a felon and not allowed to possess a firearm or the ammunition he used during the shootout.  The defendant received a sentence of time served, followed by 3 years on supervised release.  

Earlier this week, U.S. Attorney Dunn announced that since June his office has obtained 51 indictments related to firearms as part of a concerted effort to address violent crime.  Recent cases were also the focus of Tweets issued on the office’s Twitter account, which can be found @DCoNews.