Guillermo Catzalco, 47, of Firebaugh, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 23 for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address violent crime and illegal firearm possession within the region. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California enforces federal laws through prosecutions of criminal violations and management of civil lawsuits on behalf of the government, according to the official website.
According to court documents, Catzalco allegedly possessed several firearms—including a Glock-style handgun, an AR-style rifle, and a disassembled .22-caliber revolver—along with extended-capacity magazines, ammunition in various calibers, and tools used in firearm manufacturing. Authorities say Catzalco is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions in Stanislaus County for assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft, burglary, and previous offenses related to firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Firebaugh Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Karp is prosecuting it. If convicted on these charges—which are only allegations at this stage—Catzalco faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; sentencing would be determined by the court based on statutory factors and federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative involving full resources from the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney's Office serves more than 87,000 square miles across 34 counties extending from the Oregon border southward to Bakersfield and eastward to Nevada; it maintains offices in Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield according to its official website.
