Project Safe Neighborhoods Prosecution Results In Significant Prison Sentence For Felon In Unlawful Possession Of A Stolen Firearm

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A felon who shot a person with a loaded stolen semi-automatic pistol was sentenced today to a total of 57 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.

“DOJ’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program is designed to take guns off our streets and make our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “This case demonstrates the dangers of local police work and importance of strong local and federal partnerships to protect the citizens of Nevada. Law enforcement will work together to enforce gun laws.”

“Today’s sentencing is yet another example of the result that comes from strong law enforcement partnerships,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse. “The Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) is a FBI-led, multijurisdictional task force consisting of the FBI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson Police Department, and North Las Vegas Police Department, that targets the most violent fugitives.”

Steven Lamar Reed, 28, of Las Vegas, previously pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He has prior felony convictions in California including robbery and felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson sentenced him to three years of supervised release.

On April 11, 2017, members of the FBI’s CAT attempted to arrest Reed for his involvement in an earlier shooting. He also had an arrest warrant for a felony parole violation in California. When officers identified themselves and approached Reed at an apartment complex, he immediately fled, leading officers on a lengthy foot chase. Before climbing a wall in an attempt to evade arrest, a .45 caliber pistol fell from his waistband and the pistol was secured by law enforcement. This firearm had been previously stolen in a residential burglary and was used by Reed in the earlier shooting. Reed was taken into custody by law enforcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip N. Smith Jr. and Elham Roohani prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.