ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Southern California man was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment today after he possessed two firearms and ammunition as a restricted person.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Francisco Andrade Santio, 46, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty on February 26, 2026, to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to his term of imprisonment, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made at Santio’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on March 20, 2025, officers were dispatched to a Denny’s restaurant in St. George on a report of an intoxicated person, later identified as Santio. Santio was in the restaurant holding a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, vaping from a THC pen and stroking one of the waitress’ arms. Santio was asked by employees to leave and was observed by arriving officers exiting the restaurant, staggering to his vehicle and attempting to drive away. Officers pulled in behind Santio’s vehicle to prevent him from driving away. After a brief investigation and Santio’s refusal to perform field sobriety tests, Santio was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). During a search of Santio’s vehicle, law enforcement located two firearms and ammunition. Santio has a violent criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the St. George City Police Department and the Washington County Drug Taskforce.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Hood of The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Contact
Felicia Martinez
Public Affairs Specialist
Felicia.martinez@usdoj.gov
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