Guilty verdict was handed down by a jury in U.S. District Court in Denver following a 3-day trial
DENVER - Daniel Lovato, age 38, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was found guilty today of being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and ATF Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston announced. The guilty verdicts were handed down today following a 3-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore. The jury acquitted the defendant on a 3rd count. A 4th count was earlier dismissed by the government. Lovato, who appeared at the trial in custody, was remanded at the conclusion of the trial. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2018.
According to facts presented at trial, as well as details included in court documents, on March 3, 2018, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a call of shots fired near North Hancock Avenue. Officers learned that a reporting party witnessed the occupants of a 2002 silver Honda shoot at a white Dodge Durango. The Honda then left the scene. A short while later CSPD officers located the Honda and attempted a traffic stop, but the Honda fled. After a brief chase, the Honda slowed to approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour, and Lovato jumped out. The Honda continued to flee. Lovato was taken into custody, and it was determined he was in possession of a loaded.22 caliber handgun and 32 rounds of.22 caliber ammunition in his front pants pocket. An ammunition can with over 200 rounds of ammunition was found within Lovato’s immediate reach. Lovato was previously convicted of a felony, namely first degree assault resulting in serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, in Lake County, Colorado.
“Our community is safer today, thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors, the ATF and the Colorado Springs Police Department," said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer.
“ATF and the Colorado Springs Police Department are working together to reduce violent crime in our communities. With the successful prosecution of Lovato, we are accomplishing that goal," said ATF Denver Field Division Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston.
This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the ATF. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason St. Julian and Beth Gibson.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
