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. The court also mandated the forfeiture of a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol involved in the offense. Rivera-Sanchez pleaded guilty on August 21, 2024.
Rivera-Sanchez had previous 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, his residence was searched by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office under a warrant. During this search, law enforcement found a firearm loaded with twelve rounds of ammunition. Rivera-Sanchez admitted to officers that he knew about the firearm's presence in his home.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives alongside the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Nate prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice enhanced its violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.