Compton, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (PC 29800)

Our client, age 24, was suspected by the Carson Sheriffs of selling drugs from his apartment. He had a prior conviction for sales of methamphetamine (Health and Safety Code § 11378), for which he served eight months in county jail (state prison through AB109).

He also had a prior felony for vandalism. As a registered narcotics offender, he was unable to own, possess or purchase a firearm or ammunition for life. The same restriction applied to him due to his felony vandalism conviction.

Sheriffs got a warrant and served it on his apartment, finding no meth, but stumbling upon 71.5 grams of marijuana (about 3 ounces), a digital scale and a .22 caliber and three unused .22 caliber rounds nearby. The weapon was unserviceable, as it lacked a firing pin, but our client kept it for protection nonetheless, as he lived in a rough area.

The warrant was authored by an undercover police officer who allegedly purchased marijuana from our client at his apartment.

Police arrested our client, but only on the unauthorized possession of a firearm by a felon, a violation of Penal Code § 29800(a)(1), as well as unauthorized possession of ammunition by a felon, a violation of Penal Code § 30305(a)(1). This was extremely serious, as he had not gone five years since completing his prison sentence and was consequently facing mandatory state prison on each charge, plus one year for the prison prior within five years.

The minimum sentence would be sixteen months, plus one year, or two years and four months.

The client called Greg Hill & Associates after posting bail of $45,000 and discussed the case facts with Greg. Greg immediately asked the client if he was working and for whom. The client explained that he was working for his uncle as a painter and handyman at various commercial properties. Greg then spoke with the uncle and verified this.

Compton Courthouse

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