Hayward Man Found Guilty Of Being A Felon With Firearms

SACRAMENTO, CA —A Hayward man with prior felony convictions was found guilty Thursday in federal court on weapons charges stemming from a 2020 arrest in Vacaville that followed a police chase, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California

Eligio Nunez, 42, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms, according to a release. He was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his 10 felony convictions, which include: assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, evading a peace officer and two drug trafficking charges.

According to evidence presented at a trial in Aug. 2020, Nunez led police on a high-speed chase while driving a stolen Lexus. Nunez then abandoned the car near Shelton Lane in Vacaville and fled on foot. Officers eventually found and apprehended Nunez, who was hiding in a dry creek bed.

While Nunez attempted to flee, his car caught fire, which caused the ammunition inside the car to explode, police said. An investigation uncovered three handguns inside the burned car, which the jury determined belonged to Nunez.

Nunez is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 23, and he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.