Yakima Felon Sentenced To 112 Months In Federal Prison For Possessing A Firearm

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Antonio Victor Mirelez, age 26, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after having previously pleading guilty to the crime of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Mirelez to a 112 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three year term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, on February 1, 2013, law enforcement officers with the Yakima City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle Mirelez was driving. The law enforcement officers apprehended Mirelez after he attempted to flee. The officers subsequently discovered an Enfield rifle, .303 caliber, model No. 4 MK1 inside the vehicle Mirelez had been driving. Mirelez was charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and he pleaded guilty to that crime on July 23, 2013. He has been in custody since mid-June.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "Prosecuting firearms-related crimes continues to be a priority for the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington. In this case, the Yakima City Police Department partnered with Special Agents working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to successfully prosecute this Federal case. Previously convicted felons should be aware that there are serious criminal penalties connected with possessing any firearm and that we are committed to aggressively prosecute the cases."

This investigation was conducted by the Yakima City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.