ST. GEORGE — A man accused of threatening several family members, including children, with a gun during a family altercation last summer has been sentenced in federal court.
On Monday, 27-year-old Cristian Flores-Godinez appeared in federal court in St. George before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby for sentencing on one felony count of alien in possession of a firearm in relation to an incident that ended in his early morning arrest on June 12, 2023.
According to documents filed in support of his arrest, police said they received a report of a domestic-related incident alleging Godinez had a gun in his hand and was banging on the door of a residence located west of River Road in St. George, as previously reported by St. George News.
Godinez then fled the scene and was said to be driving under the influence with a weapon. After an attempt-to-locate alert was broadcast to surrounding agencies, Godinez was taken into custody at gunpoint during a traffic stop on I-15 near Exit 13 in Washington City.
He was ultimately booked into jail on multiple charges, including threat of terrorism and possession of a firearm by a restricted person — each a second-degree felony. He also was booked on two misdemeanors, including DUI and threatening to use a dangerous weapon in a fight.
When the case was picked up by federal prosecutors, the state charges were dismissed, and his identity was further verified as Flores-Godinez.
Following the indictment filed one month after his arrest, the defendant remained in jail on a federal hold while the federal case continued to move through the courts. A two-day jury trial was set to begin on April 9, which is when the defendant entered a guilty plea to the weapons charge.
During the sentencing hearing on Monday, Godinez admitted that he knowingly possessed a Glock 9 mm firearm as an “alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States.” He also admitted knowing that the weapon he had in his possession had moved from one state to another.
Shelby sentenced Godinez to serve 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years’ post-prison supervision. The court also ordered that he be turned over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement once he finishes serving his prison sentence to begin deportation proceedings.
The sentencing judgment was entered into the court record on Monday. Godinez will be transported to the federal prison once a facility has been designated. Until then, he remains in federal custody in Washington County.
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