Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DENVER – John Catilino Maez, age 35, of Pueblo, Colorado, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson to serve 151 months (over 12 years) in federal prison for gun and drug charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Field Division Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston announced.  Following his prison sentence, Maez was ordered to serve 3 years on supervised release.  Following the sentencing hearing the defendant, who appeared in custody, was remanded. 

Maez was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on August 10, 2016.  He pled guilty before Judge Jackson on February 22, 2017 to being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.  He was sentenced today, May 11, 2017.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on May 17, 2016, Pueblo Police officers and ATF special agents executed a search warrant at Maez’s residence based on probable cause that he was distributing narcotics from that location.  During a search of the defendant’s bedroom agents and officers found two rifles (a 12 gauge shotgun and a SKS Model 45 caliber rifle), a bullet proof vest hanging in the closet, 935 rounds of various caliber ammunition, two scales and approximately 38.5 grams of Heroin or a mixture thereof individually wrapped into 9 separate baggies.

“Poison, danger, and fear was all this man was contributing to his community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer.  “Thanks to exceptional law enforcement in Pueblo and our talented prosecutor, he’s gone now.”

“Maez has an unapologetic history of violence and drug trafficking that poisoned everyone around him. Removing him from the streets is another measurable step toward improving the health and safety of Pueblo’s law-abiding citizens,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Pueblo Police Department Narcotics Unit.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.

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