A Brighton man has been handed a 90-month prison sentence following a gun incident that resulted in the injury of an innocent bystander at the Gaylord Hotel in Aurora. Sonny Perez, 33, will also serve four years of supervised release after his incarceration, having pled guilty to charges of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and ammunition possession by a convicted felon, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced.
On the evening of May 29, 2023, Perez was at the hotel with a plan to sell methamphetamine, however, events took a turn when he inadvertently shot a bystander. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, security footage showed Perez leaving the hotel with his right hand in his pants pocket, followed by the sound of a gunshot and the sight of a bystander wounded. The victim was treated on scene for a leg injury.
Investigators traced Perez to his home, where drug distribution evidence, narcotics, and ammunition were discovered. Already having a prior felony conviction, Perez is barred from possessing ammunition. "Felons should be on notice, they will face long sentences if they continue to arm themselves," Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch said, as per the U.S. Department of Justice.
Spearheading the investigation were the ATF, the RAVEN Task Force, and the Aurora Police Department, who swiftly acted to secure Perez's arrest within two days of the incident. Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers from ATF underscored the danger posed by "violent, illegally-armed, drug-trafficking felons" to the public. Chief Mark Hildebrand of the Aurora Police Investigations Division highlighted the dedication to public safety and the pursuit of accountability as the driving forces in the successful apprehension and prosecution of Perez.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and promoting safer neighborhoods. Following a strategic enforcement approach rooted in community engagement and prevention, the program's efficacy in addressing violent crime was bolstered by a reinforcement strategy initiated by the Department on May 26, 2021. The sentencing of Perez reflects a collaborative effort to deter criminal activities and uphold community security.
