A Berkeley man, Rufus Rogers, 45, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., following Rogers' guilty plea to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Rogers admitted in his plea agreement that he possessed firearms and ammunition despite knowing he was a convicted felon. The incident leading to the charges occurred on February 17, 2023, when Rogers confronted another individual outside a liquor store on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland with a loaded firearm. A verbal altercation ensued after the other person fired a shot into the air, prompting Rogers to fire three rounds in response. Additionally, Rogers acknowledged having multiple firearms on or around August 2, 2023.

Judge Gilliam also imposed a three-year supervised release period on Rogers and ordered him to forfeit his interest in the seized firearms and ammunition. Rogers was taken into custody on December 11, 2024.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Harvey is prosecuting the case with assistance from Amala James. The investigation was conducted by ATF.