Local Man Gets More Than Five Years for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A local man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced. Eloy Silva, 38, of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2015.

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John Rainey ordered he serve a sentenced of 64 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing today, a deputy U.S. Marshal testified about statements Silva made at the time of his arrest. Testimony revealed that Silva was upset at a local news reporter about a story he had aired about Silva. According to that testimony, Silva stated that he was “going to get even” with the reporter and his family.  

In March 2015, authorities Silva with a state parole violators warrant and several state warrants for impersonating a peace officer at a residence in Skidmore. At the time of the arrest, deputies searched the location and discovered a 12-gauge shotgun, several boxes of ammunition and body armor underneath the bed. Silva, who has 12 prior felony convictions, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. 

In federal custody since his arrest, Silva will remain in custody and serve his sentence at a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

The charge stems from an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.