A convicted felon from Marion County, who was injured on Thanksgiving after a rifle he allegedly fired in his backyard exploded, has been indicted on a firearm possession charge.
On Friday, a grand jury returned an indictment charging 40-year-old Juan Mario GonzalezPiloto with possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon.
According to court records, GonzalezPiloto was convicted of the following state felonies between 2013 and 2020: cannabis trafficking (more than 25 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds), possession of a place for drug trafficking, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana concentrate (hazardous extract), and resisting an officer with violence.
As a convicted felon, GonzalezPiloto is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Back on November 28, 2024, which was Thanksgiving Day, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local hospital in reference to a possible accidental shooting incident with injuries. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a man, identified in the arrest report as GonzalezPiloto, who was at the hospital for treatment of an arm injury.
GonzalezPiloto allegedly told the deputy that he was shooting a gun in his backyard with one of his friends when the “plastic lower receiver” of the firearm “exploded.” According to GonzalezPiloto, the plastic “went into his arm,” resulting in his trip to the hospital.
A witness who allegedly saw the incident stated that it was “only an accident.” According to the witness, GonzalezPiloto was “shooting the gun” when it “exploded.”
Later that day, an MCSO corporal made contact with GonzalezPiloto at his residence on NE 42nd Terrace in Anthony. The report stated that a “black Omni hybrid AR-15 style rifle” was observed on the ground in the backyard.
The corporal noted in the report that the firearm “appeared to have burst on the left side between the chamber and the magazine well,” which was deemed consistent with the injuries that GonzalezPiloto had sustained to his left forearm.
While the corporal was at the incident location, GonzalezPiloto allegedly stated multiple times that he had shot the rifle, causing the injuries to his arm.
After being read his Miranda rights, GonzalezPiloto allegedly denied shooting the firearm and claimed that his friend was the one who had shot the weapon when it exploded. GonzalezPiloto further told the corporal that he was “next to his friend” when the weapon exploded, according to the report.
The corporal stated in the report that “(GonzalezPiloto’s) injury was not consistent with these statements.” GonzalezPiloto was placed under arrest, booked into Marion County Jail, and released the following day after posting a $5,000 bond.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
If convicted of the firearm and ammunition possession charge, GonzalezPiloto would face a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.