Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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A 52-year-old man from El Paso, Texas was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm after he was pulled over for speeding inside a national park and found to have marijuana, fireworks, and a loaded handgun in his vehicle. The case highlights the strict laws governing national parks, where even small amounts of marijuana can lead to federal charges.
Why it matters
While some states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana, national parks remain under federal jurisdiction where cannabis possession is still fully illegal. The presence of a loaded firearm and fireworks also raises significant safety concerns within the park environment.
The details
According to court documents, a National Park Service ranger stopped Ricardo Ballard on October 27, 2024 for driving 75 mph in a 45 mph zone inside the park. During the traffic stop, the ranger detected the odor of burnt marijuana. Ballard initially denied having drugs or weapons but later admitted to having rolled marijuana joints. A search of the vehicle uncovered an unsealed bag of marijuana, three boxes of fireworks, and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol tucked into the back pocket of the passenger seat. Ballard was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, for which he was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
On October 27, 2024, Ballard was pulled over for speeding inside the national park.On February 3, 2026, Ballard was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.
The players
Ricardo Ballard
A 52-year-old man from El Paso, Texas who was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm after being caught with marijuana, fireworks, and a loaded handgun inside a national park.
National Park Service Ranger
The ranger who pulled over Ballard for speeding and discovered the marijuana, fireworks, and loaded firearm in his vehicle.
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What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Ricardo Ballard out on bail pending his 20-month prison sentence.
The takeaway
This case highlights the strict federal laws governing national parks, where even small amounts of marijuana can lead to serious criminal charges, especially when combined with the possession of firearms and other dangerous items. It serves as a warning to visitors that they must strictly adhere to all park regulations to avoid severe legal consequences.