Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
Jesus Rene Villa, a 31-year-old resident of Tucson, Arizona, received a 36-month prison sentence on March 25, 2025, after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. United States District Judge Raner C. Collins issued the sentence following Villa's guilty plea on January 8, 2025.
The charges against Villa arose from an incident on March 1, 2024. Tucson Police Department officers conducted a vehicle search after arresting Villa, who was accused of previously fleeing from law enforcement. A loaded firearm was found in a black duffel bag on the back seat of the vehicle. Subsequent investigations determined that Villa had four prior felony convictions. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) took over the case, in partnership with the Tucson Police Department, as part of the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) initiative.
The National PSP initiative was launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide enhanced federal support to state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution authorities, with the aim of enhancing public safety. Originating from the Violence Reduction Network pilot program in 2014, PSP fosters interagency coordination by leveraging law enforcement expertise and prosecutorial resources. The program enables participating jurisdictions to consult and receive training, technical assistance, and resources from the DOJ in order to tailor data-driven, evidence-based strategies to their unique local needs. Since its inception, PSP has engaged with over 60 sites.
The ATF and Tucson Police Department jointly conducted the investigation in Villa's case. Caroline Allen, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in Tucson, managed the prosecution.
