Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted of Providing Firearm to Felon

In Lakewood, Colorado, Johnny Alvarado, 33, was found guilty by a federal jury of providing a firearm to a felon. The verdict, delivered on Monday, March 4, marked a significant development in the case.

During a routine home visit to Kyle Garcia, a felon on supervised release, a U.S. probation officer discovered a loaded firearm in a closet. Garcia admitted to possessing the firearm, revealing that he received it from his brother-in-law, Johnny Alvarado, who serves as an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Deputy. Alvarado confessed to knowingly providing the firearm to Garcia, despite being aware of his felon status.

Garcia, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, received a sentence of 66 months of probation. Meanwhile, Alvarado awaits sentencing, which will be determined at a later date by U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane.

The investigation into the case was conducted by the ATF, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Celeste Rangel and Aurora Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Perczak.

This significant case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering community trust, supporting preventive measures, and prioritizing strategic enforcement actions. The Department of Justice’s launch of a violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021 further strengthened PSN’s mission and objectives.