U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Giovanny Rivera-Sanchez, a 38-year-old resident of Kissimmee, to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Rivera-Sanchez to forfeit a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol involved in his offense. Rivera-Sanchez had entered a guilty plea on August 21, 2024.
Rivera-Sanchez's criminal history includes felony convictions from 2004, 2007, and 2008, which prohibited him from possessing firearms and ammunition. On March 25, 2022, while serving a term of federal supervised release, officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search, law enforcement found a firearm loaded with twelve rounds of ammunition. Rivera-Sanchez acknowledged being aware of the firearm's presence in his home.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Nate.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
