Arizona felon sentenced to 3 years in prison for gun possession

PHOENIX — An Arizona felon was sentenced to three years in prison for gun possession, authorities announced on Thursday.

Jesus Rene Villa, 31, of Tucson, was arrested for fleeing from law enforcement on March 1, 2024. While officers searched Villa’s vehicle, they found a loaded firearm in a black duffel bag on the back seat. A further investigation found Villa was a four-time convicted felon, authorities said.

Villa then pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Jan. 8.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked in collaboration with the Tucson Police Department on the case.

The case was part of the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), a program created by the U.S. Department of Justice with the goal of enhancing public safety through federal support of state, local and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors.

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