Convicted Felon Indicted for Multiple Firearms Charges After Shooting into Neighbor’s Yard
LOS ANGELES – A convicted felon was indicted today on gun-related charges after shooting into his neighbor’s backyard.
Jason Scott Walsh, 32, of Santa Monica, was indicted for being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of a firearm without a serial number.
Throughout the night on Jan. 9, Walsh’s neighbor heard “popping” sounds, according to the federal complaint. The neighbor, who was having a gathering in his backyard with eight guests, including children, noticed a hole had been shot through his garage, as stated in the federal complaint. Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded and officers discovered a bullet on the garage floor. While on scene, SMPD also heard what sounded like suppressed gunfire coming from Walsh’s residence.
SMPD obtained and executed a search warrant at Walsh’s residence. In the house, SMPD seized a loaded, short-barreled, AR-type rifle bearing no serial number; two loaded, semi-automatic Polymer80 9mm caliber firearms bearing no serial numbers, one with an attached silencer; additional suspected silencers; firearm magazines; an ammunition reloading device; and approximately 367 rounds of ammunition and 58 9mm caliber cartridge casings, according to court documents.
Walsh was previously convicted of a felony charge for making terrorist threats in April 2014. As a result, Walsh is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
Walsh was arrested in this case on February 8 and he has been in federal custody since that time. Walsh is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on February 26 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. If he were to be convicted of the charges in the indictment, Walsh would face up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the three felony counts in the indictment.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. ATF and SMPD worked this investigation jointly. Assistant United States Attorney, Susan Har, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California is prosecuting the case.
ATF recognizes the role firearms play in violent crimes and focuses on armed violent offenders and career criminals, firearms traffickers, violent gang activity, and domestic and international arms traffickers.
ATF targets, investigates and recommends prosecution of these offenders to reduce the level of violent crime and to enhance public safety. ATF also strives to increase state and local awareness of available federal prosecution under federal statutes.
To learn more about ATF Los Angeles Field Division, follow on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.
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