Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Daniel Thomas Sanchez, age 36, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced in the U.S. District Court of Guam to 63 months imprisonment for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The Court also ordered three years of supervised release and a mandatory $300 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
On October 13, 2023, officers with the Guam Police Department (GPD) approached Daniel Thomas Sanchez’s residence to investigate a report of criminal activity. Officers discovered Sanchez asleep in a running vehicle parked in his driveway. Officers also observed a 12-gauge shotgun next to him. The gun was seized and found to be loaded.
On March 5, 2024, GPD officers observed Sanchez in the backseat of a vehicle during a routine traffic stop. Sanchez made furtive movements toward his feet, which resulted in his removal from the vehicle. Officers then saw the grip of a revolver protruding from a tennis shoe where Sanchez had been sitting. Following a detailed search of the vehicle, officers recovered approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, cash, multiple loaded firearms, and ammunition. Sanchez admitted to selling a small amount of methamphetamine earlier that day. Further investigation led to the discovery of another loaded firearm at Sanchez’s residence. Sanchez was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to his felony criminal history, including convictions for family violence and aggravated assault.
“Armed felons and unlawful drug users are grave dangers to our communities,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms and ammunition by such individuals. The Department of Justice will continue to prioritize these prosecutions to prevent violent crime.”
“Drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms will not be tolerated in our communities. ATF and its partners in law enforcement are dedicated to safeguarding our citizens, and we will continue to relentlessly pursue these criminals with every resource available,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Those who choose to traffic drugs and illegally possess firearms will be held accountable for the harm they cause our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Guam Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Devarup Rastogi prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.