Sacaton Man Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

PHOENIX—Hernold Terrazas, Jr., 31, of Sacaton, Ariz., was sentenced yesterday to 14 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow. Terrazas pleaded guilty on February 17, 2009, to Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Police discovered Terrazas’ crime on March 15, 2008, when they responded to a call of a child who had been shot. Upon investigation, it was learned that a third party was trying to unload Terrazas’ gun when the gun was accidentally discharged and struck his son, who suffered a serious brain injury as a result of the incident.

Further investigation revealed that the discharged weapon belonged to Terrazas and that he was previously convicted of a felony. He admitted to possessing the weapon and said that he knew it was a crime for him to possess the weapon, but that he wanted it for protection. Judge Snow told him that he believed Terrazas’ greatest punishment was the injury that was caused to his own son as a result of his possession of the firearm.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Sharon Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-08-656-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-166(Terrazas)