Project Safe Neighborhoods Prosecution Results

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In connection with the U.S. Attorney’s Office continuing efforts to reduce violent crime through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich today announced the results of three sentencings in firearms-related cases.

• Virlee Osborne, 48, of North Las Vegas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in August 2018, to possession of a stolen firearm. On June 27, 2017, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Osborne in connection with a separate investigation. During his arrest, officers found a pink and silver .38 revolver with an obliterated serial number inside a bag that Osborne was carrying. He admitted he knew the firearm was stolen. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
• Armando Bazua, 35, of Compton, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement in December 2018, to felon in possession of a firearm. On February 10, 2017, Bazua was seen on social media posting photographs and videos shooting a .40 caliber handgun and a 9mm handgun at a firing range in Las Vegas. He has a prior felony conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in California and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
• Julio Abundis, 24, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Miranda Du to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in October 2018, to felon in possession of a firearm. On September 29, 2017, Abundis was stopped by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers for driving a suspected stolen vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a .38 caliber revolver under the front passenger seat. Abundis admitted it was his firearm. He has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in California and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.

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