A federal jury in Oxford, Mississippi, convicted Yohannes Tekie Gebrezghi, 41, of Sacramento, California, for firearms trafficking after a two-day trial, according to a July 14 announcement from United States Attorney Scott F. Leary.
Evidence presented at the trial showed that Gebrezghi was stopped in New Albany by two Mississippi Highway Patrol officers. A search of his vehicle uncovered 13 firearms—including pistols and AK-style rifles—hidden in door panels and the hatch area. The officers also found ammunition, large-capacity magazines, and $16,000 in cash. Trial evidence confirmed that Gebrezghi had traveled from California and was a prior convicted felon.
Gebrezghi will be sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Maxwell II on a future date.
United States Attorney Leary said, “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.”
ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson said, “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. 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; additional support came from the Fort Bragg Police Department in California during prosecution efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Addison and Chad Doleac prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing Department of Justice resources aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues while targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations involved with violent crime.