Porterville resident Joseph Marcus Silva, 28, found himself guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a silencer and three counts of manufacturing destructive devices. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the conviction, as announced by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert revealed Silva's involvement in the creation of weapons meant to cause significant harm.
Upon investigation, it was unsealed by the court documents that Silva utilized a 3D printer to manufacture two of the devices, one resembling a military claymore mine labeled “FRONT TOWARDS ENEMY,” the other fashioned after a military-type M67 grenade. Constructed with BB's, flash powder, and a fuse was another destructive device made from a glass tube. Found in his possession was also a silencer that was not legally registered, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in collaboration with the Tulare County Agency Regional Gun Violence Enforcement Team and the Porterville Police Department, uncovered Silva's actions. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar.
With the threat of up to a decade in prison and a possible $250,000 fine for each charge looming over him, Silva is facing significant consequences for his actions, scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 21, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. While the charges carry a heavy sentence, the final decision rests in the hands of the court after assessing statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The case against Silva is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative aimed to curb violent crime and gun violence, foster community trust, and support violence prevention efforts. The current U.S. Department of Justice administration has been vigorously pushing this strategy since its reinforcement on May 26, 2021, hoping to make communities safer across the nation.
