Victorville Man Pleads Guilty to 27 Counts Related to Unlicensed Firearms Sales
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Victorville resident Joshua Markanson, 32, pleaded guilty to 27 charges related to unlicensed firearms sales and possession of illegal weapons.
The plea was entered on Thursday, February 8, 2024, acknowledging his involvement in a conspiracy to circumvent legal arms trade regulations, as confirmed by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Court records illuminate the timeline of Markanson’s illicit activities, occurring from November 13 to December 14, 2017.
Over 30 firearms were sold to undercover operatives during this period, including specially noted unserialized short-barrel rifles and silencers.
The successful probe leading to Markanson’s conviction was a collaborative effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with added support from local entities such as the Sacramento Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Lee and Cameron Desmond are credited with prosecuting the case.
Markanson was implicated along with two co-defendants in this underground arms operation. Notably, Donte Robins received a nine-month prison sentence, and Rayshawn Wray was sentenced to 18 months for their respective roles in the conspiracy.
The judicial process is set to proceed with U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley’s sentencing for Markanson on May 2, 2024.
The possible punishments include a five-year imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy and dealing charges alone. The possession charges could amplify the sentence to 10 years and include an additional $250,000 fine for each count.
Despite these maximum penalties, the court’s final decision will weigh several factors, including the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Markanson’s specific circumstances.
