Convicted Felon Sentenced to 41 Months Prison for Possessing Firearms and Ammunition

Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Shawn Michael Palacios Rosario, age 41, from Guam, was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment by the District Court of Guam.  Rosario was convicted of two counts of Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  The Court also ordered three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and mandatory $200 special assessment fee. 

On February 7, 2022, Guam Police Department officers saw a motorcycle being driven at a high rate of speed in Dededo, Guam.  The motorcycle was not displaying a license plate.  The rider continued speeding, attempting to evade police, before crashing into a parked vehicle.  The rider was identified as Rosario.  Officers discovered that he possessed a .380 caliber pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition.  Under federal law, Rosario was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction in the District Court of Guam.

On May 17, 2022, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force served an outstanding arrest warrant on Rosario at a residence in Dededo.  Federal law enforcement discovered that Rosario had a pouch next to him that contained a .40 caliber pistol and four rounds of ammunition.  They also found a pipe, syringe, and hypodermic needle, in addition to three grams of methamphetamine.  Under federal law, drug users are also prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

“Rosario’s possession of even a single round of ammunition would have resulted in similar consequences,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “Felons and firearms are a dangerous combination for our communities.  We will continue to work closely with our partners to hold these criminals accountable.”

“We commend the Guam Police Department officers and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for their work getting this felon off the streets,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Felons cannot possess firearms or ammunition, and Mr. Rosario compounded it by possessing illegal narcotics.  Hopefully this sentence will give him time to reflect on his actions and change his ways.”  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Guam Police Department conducted the investigation that resulted in the indictment.  The investigation was also facilitated by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.