Ogden, UT — A federal jury has found 42-year-old Michael Anthony Rangel guilty of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. The conviction stems from a July 2022 incident in which Rangel, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop conducted by the Ogden Metro Gang Task Force.
Court documents and evidence presented during the trial revealed that on the date in question, officers pulled over a vehicle in which Rangel was a passenger. At the time, Rangel was aware he was prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm due to his prior felony conviction. Despite this, he was found with a Taurus PT111 G2 pistol, along with ammunition.
The firearm was later confirmed to have been manufactured outside the state of Utah, indicating that it had crossed state lines, which brought federal jurisdiction into the case due to interstate commerce laws. Following the discovery of the weapon, officers seized the firearm and its ammunition, leading to Rangel’s charges.
Rangel’s conviction comes as part of ongoing efforts by local and federal law enforcement to reduce illegal firearm possession and prevent convicted felons from accessing weapons. The case also underscores the importance of federal firearm regulations, especially when weapons cross state borders.
Sentencing for Rangel is pending, and he faces significant legal consequences for his actions. The guilty verdict marks another step in the federal government’s ongoing initiative to enforce strict gun control laws for individuals with criminal backgrounds.