McLaughlin Man Sentenced For Firearms Offense

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin man convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on April 29, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Jess Porras, age 52, was sentenced to 6 months in custody, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Porras was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2012. On January 2, 2013, he pled guilty to Count I of the indictment.

The conviction stems from an incident in December 2011 when the Defendant was providing guiding services to a group of hunters from Minnesota. After a member of the hunting party missed several shots at a deer, the Defendant, knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms, grabbed the hunter's rifle and shot the deer.

This case was investigated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Morley prosecuted the case.

Porras is to self-report to the U.S. Marshal’s Service by 2:00 p.m. on May 21, 2013.