A Mexican national was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm and illegal reentry, according to a July 15 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Ramon Oscar Morales-Valencia, 47, received his sentence last Thursday. The sentence will run concurrently with his recent Marion County drug possession conviction. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said, “Illegal possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals fuels gun violence in our community. Combatting gun violence is a priority, and my office will pursue those who think they are above the law.”
Jonathan Blais, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Seattle Field Division, said, “As if his illegal reentry into the United States was not enough, Morales-Valencia intentionally chose to further break our nation’s laws by illegally possessing a firearm and methamphetamine. The unlawful possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals poses a serious threat to the safety of our communities, and ATF will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who endanger our citizens.”
According to court documents, Morales-Valencia had been formally removed from the United States in 2010. On April 19, 2025, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped an SUV driven by Morales-Valencia; he exited the vehicle while removing a Ruger 9mm pistol from his waistband before placing it on the driver’s seat. Deputies recovered both the firearm and methamphetamine from inside the SUV. Morales-Valencia pleaded guilty in state court to possession of methamphetamine with a resulting sentence of 29 months.
On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Morales-Valencia on charges including alien in possession of a firearm and illegal reentry.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from Marion County Sheriff’s Office; prosecution was handled by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon—which operates under the Department of Justice as one among ninety-three such offices nationwide with locations in Portland, Eugene and Medford employing over one hundred staff members—according to the official website. Scott Bradford has previously served as Chief of the White Collar Unit as well as Acting Chief for Counterintelligence/Export Control Section, according to their website.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies at all levels alongside community organizations aiming to reduce violent crime.