Related Content
Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore. – On May 12, 2017, United States District Court Judge Michael J. McShane sentenced Michael Lee Souza, 40, of Grants Pass, Oregon, to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Upon his release from prison, Souza will be on supervised release for three years.
According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that Souza was selling methamphetamine and possessed a large number of firearms. On October 15, 2014, a confidential informant working with ATF purchased methamphetamine from Souza. During the transaction, Souza also offered to sell the informant a Glock .45-caliber pistol with accessories.
Later that day, the informant returned to Souza’s Grants Pass residence to purchase the firearm, a nylon holster and two 12-round magazines, one of which was preloaded. Souza talked openly with the informant about collecting guns and recent gun sales. The informant also listened as Souza told a different drug customer that he expected to have more drugs within a couple of hours. Grants Pass Department of Public Safety officers arrested Souza during a traffic stop the following day. During the stop, Souza attempted to conceal a switchblade knife while sitting atop two bags of methamphetamine.
Souza has 13 prior felony convictions and was on probation for delivery of methamphetamine at the time he committed the current firearm offense. His earliest felony conviction occurred in 2003. Souza been on probation or post-prison supervision almost continuously since 2003 except during periods of incarceration. He has seven prior drug offenses including three drug trafficking crimes of manufacturing and delivery of methamphetamine, three prior theft convictions and one conviction for hindering prosecution. He also has two prior convictions involving firearms including a prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction. Souza also has gang affiliation documented by law enforcement.
The case was investigated by ATF, Oregon State Police and the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Judith Harper and Byron Chatfield, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Oregon.