Utah Known Gang Member Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm as a Previously Convicted Felon

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - A known Utah gang member and felon was sentenced to 46 months' imprisonment today, concurrent to any time imposed by the state of Utah for parole violations and/or new offenses, after he illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition, which he is restricted from possessing as a felon.

Raymond Ace Ortiz, aka Gizmo, 39, of St. George, Utah, pleaded guilty on April 3, 2026. In addition to his term of imprisonment, he was also sentenced to three years supervised release.

According to Ortiz's change of plea and sentencing hearings, on November 6, 2025, Ortiz was taken into custody at a West Valley City residence by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST) pursuant to a warrant for his arrest for a state parole violation. As members of VFAST knocked on the front door, Ortiz went to the back door with a firearm. Ortiz was shot during the encounter, and a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number was recovered from the area. Ortiz admitted he possessed the firearm during the encounter. Ortiz was previously convicted of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person in Utah Third District Court.

This case was investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Victoria K. McFarland of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).