Wapato Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possession of Stolen Firearm

Spokane – Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Aaron Winnier, age 33, of Wapato, Washington, was sentenced for possessing a stolen firearm. Senior United States District Court Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Winnier to a ten-year term of imprisonment and a three-year term of court supervision following his release from Federal prison. At today’s sentencing hearing, the Senior Judge Nielsen noted that Winnier had previously been convicted of more than 40 offenses.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on April 22, 2014, the Yakama Nation Police Department received a complaint of a disturbance. The Tribal Police Officers arrived at a residence where the disturbance was reportedly occurring. The officers apprehended Winnier, who appeared to be intoxicated. At the time, the officers discovered a stolen firearm in Winnier’s pocket. Winnier told the officers that he did not care if the firearm was stolen and that he would just “get another one.” Winnier has a lengthy criminal history which includes, among other conduct, convictions for: possession of marijuana; resisting arrest; obstruction; taking vehicle without permission; protection order violation; attempt to elude a police vehicle; third degree assault; fourth degree assault; third degree escape; reckless endangerment; malicious injury to property; residential burglary; possession of a stolen vehicle; and felony harassment – threat to kill.

Michael C. Ormsby said, “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting individuals who unlawfully possess firearms. Such offenses are serious and just punishment will be pursued against individuals who violate the firearms laws, as was done in this case. I commend the Yakama Nation Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs for their commitment to this successful prosecution.”
This investigation was conducted by the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Tom Hanlon, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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