Robert Davis, a resident of Oakland, has been convicted by a federal jury for dealing firearms without a license and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Cicolani.
The jury determined that Davis, 31, sold firearms for profit after purchasing them illegally in Texas. Additionally, he was found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon on another occasion. However, the jury acquitted him of an additional charge related to possessing and shipping firearms. These verdicts came after a week-long trial overseen by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Davis traveled between California and Texas to buy firearms at gun shows illegally. He then shipped these firearms back to the Bay Area where he advertised and sold them using Instagram. On December 22, 2021, law enforcement searched his residence finding a loaded 5.7mm firearm along with over 100 rounds of ammunition both in his apartment and vehicle. Due to his prior felony conviction, Davis was not allowed to possess these items.
Davis remains in custody awaiting sentencing which is yet to be scheduled.
For violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A), the maximum statutory penalty is five years imprisonment with a $250,000 fine; for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), it is ten years imprisonment with the same fine amount. Sentencing will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statute under 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Mateer and Jonah Ross are leading the prosecution with support from Kevin Costello, Mark DiCenzo, and Amala James following an investigation by ATF alongside Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Worth Police Department.