Berkeley Man Sentenced To Six Years In Prison For Unlawful Possession Of Firearms And Ammunition (DOJ)

OAKLAND - A Berkeley man was sentenced this week to 72 months in federal prison for possession of firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a felony. The Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., U.S. District Judge, imposed the sentence following the defendant's guilty plea on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of felon in possession of ammunition.

According to his plea agreement, Rufus Rogers, 45, admitted to possession of firearms and ammunition when he knew he was a convicted felon. On Feb. 17, 2023, Rogers approached another person outside of a liquor store on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland with a loaded firearm between Rogers's hands. Rogers followed the other person around the corner and engaged in a verbal altercation. After the other person fired one shot into the air, Rogers raised his gun towards the person and fired three rounds. Rogers also admitted to having multiple firearms in his possession on or about Aug. 2, 2023.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Gilliam also sentenced Rogers to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered Rogers to forfeit his interest in the recovered firearms and ammunition. The defendant was remanded into custody on Dec. 11, 2024.

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani made the announcement.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Harvey is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by ATF.