CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Juan Manuel Miranda, 52, of Cheyenne, was sentenced Aug. 21 to 88 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2023, Cheyenne police responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 1800 block of Rainbow Road. Witnesses reported that Miranda fired at an unknown man before driving away. During the ensuing pursuit, officers saw Miranda throw a pistol out of his vehicle into the driveway of a business. He eventually stopped and was arrested. Officers later recovered the 9mm pistol Miranda had discarded, according to a press release by the Department of Justice.
A criminal history check revealed that Miranda, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on Jan. 10, 2023, and pleaded guilty on May 28. Chief U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the 88-month sentence.
“The Justice Department is committed to reducing violent crime by aggressively prosecuting violent criminals who illegally possess guns,” Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann stated. “This case shows how federal, state, and local law enforcement in Wyoming can work together to secure a significant prison sentence against a violent felon and make the Cheyenne community safer. We thank the Cheyenne Police Department and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation for their work on this case.”
Cheyenne Police Chief Mark Francisco stated, “This is an excellent example of agencies coming together to protect our Wyoming communities. We’re proud that this collaboration resulted in a successful prosecution.”
The case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Criminal Division Chief Nicole Romine of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
