Oceanside man gets 8-year prison sentence for firearms possession

A 46-year-old Oceanside man was sentenced Friday in federal court to eight years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, following a high-speed chase with Oceanside police last year.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego, Gary Russell Bartlett Jr. is a “self-admitted” gang member with 13 prior criminal convictions that included assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and resisting arrest.

On Sept. 18, 2024, officers with the Oceanside Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit said they noticed Bartlett driving a Cadillac without a front license plate.

Bartlett led officers on a pursuit at high speeds through neighborhoods. Police said at one point the suspect drove on the wrong side of a median, not far from a child on a bicycle.

Bartlett eventually lost control, crashed into a roadside palm tree and the Cadillac rolled down an embankment.

As police approached, they said the suspect threw a 9 millimeter gun from the vehicle. Upon arresting Bartlett, officers said he had $1,300 in cash on him. Officers also found cocaine, methamphetamine, mushrooms and a digital scale.

The suspect was charged with state firearm and drug offenses. Since prior felony convictions prohibit the possession of firearms, Bartlett faced federal charges following an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Bartlett was released on pretrial supervision and required to wear an ankle monitor while his case was pending.

But on Nov. 24, 2024 Bartlett was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol for allegedly transporting undocumented individuals who had been seen entering Bartlett’s vehicle near the U.S.- Mexico border. Authorities said Bartlett was wearing the state-issued ankle monitor at the time.

“We are thankful for the assistance from ATF and the Oceanside Police Department in ensuring this dangerous gang member faced the certainty of federal punishment,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Escondido Police Department at (760) 839-4722 or Detective Greg Clark at (760) 839-4450, referencing case 25007498