Date: 10-21-2014

Case Style: United States of America v. Vincent Sanchez

Case Number: 1:14-cr-00003-PA

Judge: Owen M. Panner

Court: United States District Court for the District of Oregon (Jackson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Douglas W. Fong

Defendant's Attorney: Don Scales

Description: MEDFORD, OR - Senior U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced Vincent Sanchez, Jr., 37, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sanchez will be on five years of supervised release after he completes his prison term. The maximum sentence he faced was life in prison.

On December 12, 2013, Klamath County Sheriff’s detectives observed Sanchez in the front passenger’s seat of a vehicle. Sanchez had an outstanding felony arrest warrant, and deputies had information that he was carrying a firearm. Deputies stopped the vehicle, ordered defendant out, searched him, and found a loaded 9mm handgun in a shoulder holster concealed under his sweatshirt. A black zippered bag in the front passenger’s seat contained three baggies of methamphetamine (62 grams actual meth), drug notes, and digital scales. Deputies then searched the home where Sanchez was staying and retrieved a loaded SKS assault rifle and a Ruger 7mm bolt action rifle Sanchez had stored at the residence.

Under federal law, any person who possesses a firearm or ammunition after being previously convicted of three violent felonies or drug trafficking crimes qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal and faces a 15 year mandatory minimum prison sentence. Based upon defendant’s prior felony convictions for felony attempt to elude, assault on a police officer (three counts), conspiracy to delivery methamphetamine, and burglary, Sanchez was sentenced as an Armed Career Criminal. His criminal history also includes felony convictions for supplying contraband, transportation of a controlled substance, tampering with a witness, and possession of a methamphetamine, and misdemeanor convictions for strangulation, possessing a switchblade knife, interfering with police, false information to police, theft and disorderly conduct.

This case was investigated jointly by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Outcome: See above

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: