An Oakland man, Jason Nious, 42, was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared in federal district court following his arrest.
Court documents reveal that Oakland police encountered Nious on September 18, 2024, while searching for another individual with an active arrest warrant for gun possession. Officers found Nious standing next to the wanted person and near a car registered to him. A search of the vehicle revealed a gun with a live round in the chamber and a loaded magazine. Nious has previous convictions in Alameda County for human trafficking of a minor, providing controlled substances to a minor, and armed robbery.
Nious is scheduled for a detention hearing on December 23, 2024.
The incident occurred in "the Blade," an area known for pimping and pandering along International Boulevard between 5th Avenue and 23rd Avenue. The region has seen increased violent crime recently. This year, efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and Oakland Police Department have focused on combating sex trafficking and violent crime there.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI San Francisco Special Agent Robert K. Tripp announced the arrest.
A criminal complaint alleges crimes but does not prove guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted, Nious could face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Sentencing would consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes under 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ivana Djak is prosecuting with assistance from Amala James following an investigation by the FBI and Oakland Police Department.