Colombian National Sentenced For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Juan Leon David Vazquez (37, Colombia) to 46 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an alien illegally unlawfully in the United States. Vazquez pleaded guilty on November 21, 2024.

According to court documents, Vazquez brandished a firearm at an individual after they went to get food around 1:30 a.m. When the victim saw the firearm, he attempted to push the firearm away. Vazquez then discharged the firearm, striking the victim’s hand. Vazquez took the victim’s phone and threw it on the ground, where it broke, and then drove away leaving the victim behind. The firearm was later located at Vazquez’s residence.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke M. Padgett.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.