'GUILTY' - A Federal Jury Convicts a California Felon for Firearms Trafficking Violations

Oxford, MS - United States Attorney Scott F. Leary announced today that a federal jury convicted Yohannes Tekie Gebrezghi, 41, of Sacramento, California after a two-day trial. Gebrezghi was convicted of firearms trafficking.

According to evidence produced at trial, Gebrezghi was stopped in New Albany by two Mississippi Highway Patrol officers. A search of his vehicle by the troopers uncovered 13 firearms, including pistols and AK-style rifles. The weapons were hidden in the vehicle's door panels and hatch, along with ammunition, large-capacity magazines, and $16,000 in United States currency. Evidence at trial confirmed that Gebrezghi had travelled from California. He was a prior convicted felon.

Gebrezghi will be sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Maxwell, II on a future date.

U.S. Attorney Leary stated, "Gun traffickers put both our citizens and law enforcement officers at risk. Those who traffic in illegal firearms are directly feeding the cycle of violent crime that is out plaguing our communities. We, as responsible free people, can never tolerate such dangerous criminals in our society. The Mississippi Highway Patrol did an excellent job with this case. We've grown to expect continual investigative professionalism from the ATF and this case is another fine example of their work."

"In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on long-time criminals who illegally traffic firearms," said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. "The jury's guilty verdict today sends a message to convicted felons who are prohibited from trafficking firearms that we will continue to work to keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF."

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. The Fort Bragg, California Police Department provided further support in the prosecution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Addison and Chad Doleac.

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.