Michael Anthony Rangel, a 43-year-old resident of Ogden, Utah, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, Jr., who also imposed three years of supervised release following the prison term.
Rangel’s conviction stems from an incident in July 2022 when he was found with a stolen Taurus PT111 G2 pistol during a traffic stop. Despite being aware of his status as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, Rangel had the weapon and ammunition in his possession. Law enforcement officials seized these items at the time.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. The investigation leading to Rangel’s conviction was conducted by the Ogden Metro Gang Task Force.
The prosecution team included Special Assistant United States Attorney Branden B. Miles and Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Gough from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on building trust within communities, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
