Fresno Man with 11 Felonies Indicted on Meth, Firearms Charges

John Angel Sanchez, 56, was already prohibited from touching a firearm under federal law when the Fresno County Sheriff's Office and FBI found him in possession of three guns and nearly two pounds of methamphetamine on January 15, 2026. Two months later, a federal grand jury made it official: on March 12, a three-count indictment charged Sanchez with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The breadth of Sanchez's criminal record underscores the felon-in-possession count. Court documents identify him as an 11-time convicted felon whose prior cases include possession of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for sale, transportation of controlled substances for sale, and the manufacture or import of an unlawful weapon. Despite that history, authorities say he was actively supervised at the time of his arrest, serving a term of post-release community supervision following his most recent felony convictions in Fresno County.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California announced the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arelis M. Clemente and Nicholas E. Karp are prosecuting the case.

The firearm-in-furtherance count alone carries a statutory minimum of five years in federal prison. Combined with the remaining counts, Sanchez faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine if convicted. Sentencing, should it come to that, would be determined by the court in accordance with statutory factors and federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges are allegations, and Sanchez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.