Felons with firearms — What happens after they are cuffed?

On Sunday, 18-year-old Brian Purcella was arrested following a short chase on the east side of Pueblo.

The teen fled from police in a stolen vehicle, as well as on foot until he was apprehended at the intersection of 5th and Norwood.

Police say Purcella was brought in on a number of charges, including aggravated motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, as well as felon in possession of a firearm. Officers on scene said he was seeing fleeing with a gun in his hand, which they believe to be stolen.

So what do alleged criminals like Purcella face after being arrested when carrying a firearm? Especially when the firearm is stolen?

It turns out, police have some serious muscle when it comes to crimes involving a firearm. In fact, police in Pueblo and across the state will consult with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as well as their District Attorney’s office to see if they ought to dish out harsher penalties.

“A lot more people have firearms nowadays that we deal with,” said Sgt. Frank Ortega with The Pueblo Police Department.

Ortega said he has seen an increase in criminals in possession of firearms this year than in years past.

Roughly 6% of all arrests in Pueblo had weapons so far this year, more than half of those arrests were firearms.

Sgt. Ortega said Pueblo police will consult with the District Attorney’s office as well as the ATF.

“We ask the ATF ‘What would be the best course of action?’ or ‘Should we pursue federal charges or state charges?'” said Ortega.

Federal charges are the harsher of the two. If found guilty, inmates serve at least 85% of their sentencing and serve their times at a prison outside of Colorado.

“They go to prison somewhere else, not here. They aren’t going to prison with their friends or relatives,” said Ortega.

As for the firearm, the ATF can help with that too.

“The ATF has this program called ‘Hot Brass’,” said Ortega. “Within 48 hours they can compare shell casings with other crimes and we can build a case on somebody for crimes that were committed prior with a firearm.”

As for Purcella, could he be facing federal charges? Sgt. Ortega said that is unlikely.

Purcella is too young to be charged at the federal level and his juvenile record isn’t considered. He may not be charged federally but will face the more lenient state charges.