Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together various levels of law enforcement and communities, has announced new indictments in federal cases. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith revealed charges against two individuals from Sacramento and Fairfield.
Marcus Anderson, a 26-year-old resident of Sacramento, faces nine counts related to firearms trafficking, unlicensed firearms dealing, and other charges. Court documents allege that between February 2022 and March 2023, Anderson engaged in illegal firearms trafficking and dealing in the Sacramento area despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple state felony convictions. The investigation was conducted by the ATF with support from several local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid is handling the prosecution.
Armond Bass, aged 39 from Fairfield, was indicted on January 23, 2025, for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In October 2024, Bass allegedly possessed a Colt .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle along with ammunition. He is barred from having firearms due to past felony convictions for domestic violence and other offenses. This case resulted from an FBI investigation with assistance from local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Campbell is prosecuting this case.
If convicted on these charges, both defendants could face significant penalties including up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 for firearm possession offenses. Anderson could receive an additional five-year sentence if found guilty of unlicensed firearms dealing. Sentences will be determined by the court based on various factors under Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
These proceedings are part of PSN's broader strategy launched by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 26, 2021, focusing on building community trust, supporting violence prevention efforts, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
