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Press Release

Yakima Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Being An Armed Career Criminal

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Carl Eugene Gonderman, age 37, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Gonderman to a 15 year term of imprisonment pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act, and a five year term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on April 14, 2012, Yakima police officers attempted to stop a pickup truck reported as stolen. The driver, Gonderman, then drove recklessly through city streets and residential areas at speeds up to 60 m.p.h., failed to stop for traffic signals, and at one point went airborne. Officers stopped the pursuit due to the danger to the public. A short time later, officers located the truck where it had crashed into a residential garage. Gonderman and his passenger had fled the vehicle but were apprehended shortly thereafter. Officers discovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver on the driver's floorboard of the pickup. Gonderman was charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and he pleaded guilty to that crime on June 13, 2013. At sentencing, Judge Suko noted that Gonderman has roughly a dozen prior felony convictions. The Court ordered that Gonderman's sentence run concurrent to his related state convictions arising from the incident and that he receive credit for time spent in state custody.

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 this Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively firearms-related cases in the Eastern District of Washington."

The case was investigated by the Yakima City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

12-2045-LRS

Updated January 29, 2015