Crook County Man Sentenced to Two and Half Years in Prison for Possessing a Loaded Firearm After Being Convicted for a Crime of Domestic Violence

EUGENE, Ore. – Today, United States District Judge Anne Aiken sentenced Willard Bryan Wilhelm, 34, of Crook County, Oregon, to two and one-half years in prison and three years of supervision after his release from prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted in an Oregon court of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.    

Wilhelm pled guilty without a plea agreement to possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted in an Oregon court for an “Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence.” Wilhelm was warned he could no longer lawfully possess a firearm and ammunition.  On July 19, 2012, Prineville officers were called to Wilhelm’s residence and arrested him for possessing a loaded rifle.  Two female adults and four children were present in the residence when Wilhelm was taken into custody. Witnesses testified at Wilhelm’s sentencing about his history of possessing firearms while intoxicated and his abuse of women and children. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the

Prineville Police Department, and was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecution by the Crook County Deputy District Attorney Katherine Krauel-Hernberg.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank R. Papagni, Jr..