Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas prohibited person who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, based on a prior conviction for domestic violence, was sentenced Monday to 20 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Frederic D. Winston for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for the San Francisco Division.

“This case epitomizes our office’s ongoing violent crime reduction initiative, targeting the nexus between domestic violence and gun crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Nevada’s domestic violence fatality rate remains far too high. We believe that cases like this one will help reduce the domestic violence fatality rate by taking guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. This case also sends the message to convicted domestic abusers that the Department of Justice is dedicated to prosecuting them for illegal firearm possession.”

“ATF and our partners will continue to work to protect our communities from gun violence,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Winston. “Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws are at the forefront of the focus for Project Guardian. Project Guardian emphasizes close coordination by ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office and our state and local law enforcement partners so that those who possess firearms illegally are held accountable.  ATF will continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure the safety of the people of Las Vegas.”

Angelo Taylor, 31, pleaded guilty on November 26, 2019, to unlawful possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over yesterday’s sentencing hearing.

According to court documents, on June 30, 2018, officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance where Taylor allegedly threatened, if police were called, to kill his wife and their seven children and then commit suicide by cop. Through the investigation into the domestic disturbance, officers discovered that Taylor unlawfully possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun in his home. Taylor has a prior conviction for domestic battery in 2015.

The case is a product of an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the U.S. Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

###