Local Man Heads to Prison After Posting Photo with Gun and Ballistic Vest

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 29-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Marcus Colunga, of Corpus Christi pleaded guilty April 7, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos sentenced Colunga to 40 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.

In May 2015, law enforcement received a photograph of a Facebook posting showing an individual wearing a ballistic vest and holding an SKS rifle. They identified the individual as Colunga. With a prior felony conviction, he is prohibited by federal law of firearms.

During the investigation, agents recovered an SKS rifle and a stolen ballistic vest, later determined to be the same items Colunga possessed in the photograph.

In federal custody since his arrest, Colunga will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation along with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.