In a decisive crackdown on gun violence, a six-time convicted felon from San Bernardino County, known as Rafeal Yanni, has been handed a prison sentence surpassing a decade for illegal ammunition possession and his role in a shooting incident outside a local sports bar. Yanni, 31, was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
Details of the case reveal that in September of last year, Yanni was involved in a violent altercation after leaving a San Bernardino sports bar, escalating to the point of him shooting and wounding two individuals in the parking lot. The incident, caught on surveillance footage, exhibited Yanni racking the slide of a firearm, commonly referred to as a "ghost gun" due to its lack of serial number, before discharging it multiple times, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California. After striking the first victim, and upon the second victim's attempt to assist, Yanni proceeded to shoot the second individual as well, the office reported.
Yanni fled the scene but was arrested within 48 hours. A subsequent investigation by law enforcement officials, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside local San Bernardino and Colton police, led to the discovery of a loaded ghost gun in a vehicle Yanni had occupied. Ballistics tests confirmed the firearm's connection to the shootings.
Yanni's extensive criminal background, including six felony convictions, legally barred him from ammunition possession. His rap sheet details offenses ranging from assault to unlawful vehicle acquisition across multiple counties over the years, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California. The case was brought to a close by Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Stimson of the General Crimes Section. For inquiries or further information, contact Ciaran McEvoy, Public Information Officer, at [email protected] or (213) 894-4465, the office states.
