Fort Duchesne Man Sentenced To 57 Months In Federal Prison For Firearm Violation

            SALT LAKE CITY – Gregory Chauncy Checora, age 36, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, will serve 57 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.  U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell imposed the sentence Thursday in U.S. District Court.  Checora, who is an enrolled member of the Ute Indian Tribe, will be on supervised release for 36 months when he finishes his prison sentence.

            Checora pleaded guilty to the firearm charge in May.  He admitted that between June 20-30, 2012, he had an EAA Witness .40 caliber handgun in his possession. As a convicted felon, federal law prohibits Checora from possessing a firearm.

            Checora was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in U.S. District Court in October 1997.  According to a plea agreement in that case, Checora and three others killed Benjie Murray during a July 1996 incident that occurred in what is known as the “Little Chicago” subdivision of Fort Duchesne within the boundaries of the Uintah-Ouray Reservation. 

            Criminal history is a factor in determining sentences in federal court.  The manslaughter conviction, which is a crime of violence, was one factor Judge Campbell used in imposing a sentence at the high end of the sentencing guidelines.  Checora also has a history of gang involvement.