A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
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A Fresno man pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm after a struggle with police during a traffic stop, federal prosecutors said.
Joseph Rocha, 27, entered the plea on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
Court documents say that on March 21, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Rocha’s vehicle. When Rocha told officers his license was in the trunk, they asked him to step out of the car. Instead, Rocha turned the vehicle on and put it in drive, and officers struggled with him through a half-open door to regain control.
Rocha continued to fight as officers removed him from the vehicle and at one point tried to spring away and grab an officer’s taser, authorities said. Officers eventually subdued him and found him in possession of a loaded firearm.
Prosecutors said Rocha is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of multiple prior felony convictions in Fresno County, including evading a peace officer, firearms offenses, assault, car theft and drug trafficking.
Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on May 26. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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